Concert review - Michael Schenker at Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

Michael Schenker

Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

Concert review by Ian Harvey

Heavy metal may have originally been forged in the Black Country but it was German maestro Michael Schenker who refined it last night with utter Teutonic precision as he opened his UK tour in Wolverhampton.

Schenker's playing is a thing of wonder and it was a real pleasure to see the guitarist loose and relaxed in himself but utterly pinpoint accurate in his delivery - and clearly enjoying the spotlight rather than mostly huddling at the back of the stage as he did last time round, two years ago.

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The stage was set with Into The Arena and Armed and Ready, vocalist Doogie White acting as chief cheerleader.

What followed was a near two-hour set, split between Schenker's solo output, including new album Temple Of Rock, and his time spent with UFO and The Scorpions.

The Scorps were also represented by two former members, in drummer Herman Rarebell and bassist Francis Buchholz, and musically by the likes of Lovedrive, Another Piece of Meat and the inevitable Rock You Like A Hurricane . . . even though Schenker himself was out of the band by the time that song became a massive worldwide hit in 1984.

UFO's Strangers In The Night is a strong contender for best live album of all time, and Schenker mined it generously. Take your pick from the likes of Lights Out, Let It Roll, Shoot Shoot and Doctor Doctor.

But if I had to pick just one highlight it would have to be UFO's glorious Rock Bottom, Schenker cutting loose and simply astounding as he showed why he remains one of heavy rock's greatest guitar heroes.