In many cases, a band or solo artist looks to sustain a legacy after a certain period of time by touring with a list of known material in hand or reissuing achieved material. A respectable approach to staying connected with audiences and still getting out there; there are then some who seem to revel in the ability to put fresh new music out there for the world to hear. In this insistence, there is the debate that creativity is most free-flowing or potent in an artist’s younger years, but this is simply not the case with Rock-n-Roll Singer Robin McAuley.
Born and raised in Ireland, McAuley is best recognized for his contributions to the McAuley Schenker Group, where he teamed up with the legendary Michael Schenker between 1986 and 1993. Beyond this, he has also been involved in a list of other projects through the decades. Then, in the last few years, he has been unstoppable, working in Michael Schenker Fest, Black Swan (which features Reb Beach and Jeff Pilson), but also a revisited solo career.
Perhaps one of the best-kept secrets in terms of Hard Rock Vocalists in the business, McAuley first released a solo album back in 1999 called Business as Usual. From here, it would be many years before he ever did another; in fact, twenty-two years until he put out the follow-up called Standing on the Edge in 2021. A fantastic, lively sounding Heavy Rock record, he then followed up with the album Alive in 2023, which was yet another inspired piece of work. Both are highly recommended pieces of music that deserve attention, but in 2025, McAuley keeps the fire burning with his latest studio record, Soulbound.
Set for release on February 28th through Frontiers Music s.r.l., Soulbound marks his third solo album since 2021 and his fifth overall (counting the two with Black Swan) since 2020. He recently celebrated his seventy-second birthday in January 2025, and you could argue that the last five years have been McAuley’s most active in the studio in his entire highly accomplished career. Within itself, it is an inspiring story. However, let it be known that McAuley is not just doing it to pass the time; his voice, passion, and lyric writing are as sharp as ever.
Teamed with a stellar band (Andrea Seveso and Alessandro Mammola on guitars, Aldo Lonobile on bass and additional guitars, along with Alfonso Mocerino on drums), the songs are charged and exceptionally well-performed. With that in mind, Soulbound is equally as powerful as either Standing on the Edge or Alive.
Consisting of eleven songs, the new album includes the three pre-released singles of “’ Til I Die,” “Soulbound,” and “Wonder of the World.” A great introduction to the new material, “’Til I Die,” is an intense testimonial from McAuley of love, but also to sing his heart out until his final breath. This is while the title track is a stellar mix of keyboards and heavy guitars with extremely memorable vocals, and “Wonder of the World” keeps you enthralled with an unforgettable chant-along chorus.
These aside, the remainder of the album is a strong showing of guitar work with an edge (exemplified on songs like “The Best of Me” and “Bloody Bruised and Beautiful”). You also simply cannot ignore McAuley’s ear-tingling performances on “Crazy,” “Paradise,” or “Born to Die,” where the emotions go from high-soaring to darker and more moody in the flick of a guitar pick.
Overall, if you have kept up with Robin McAuley in recent years, you will know his efforts are anything but disappointing. The man is full of youth and vigor, has a voice that is simply unique to any other, and is seemingly having a blast doing what he loves best. These characteristics all add up to yet another must-listen album. That is why Cryptic Rock recommends Soulbound, giving it 5 out of 5 stars.
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