Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

There are few musicians to whom success is almost guaranteed no matter what group they inhabit, even fewer to whom arguably are the principal focus of what drives the sound across the entire spectrum of their spectrum, and it takes a special kind of genius to do so across three or even four bands.

Michael Schenker is that force of nature, through the Scorpions, U.F.O. and within the groups that bear his own impressive name, and one that is assured to be a tornado that tears through the possible objection and sweeps aside the build-up of negativity that comes from the haters and misanthropes in such a way that the devastation is gleefully enjoyed.

To be able to look back at the early sojourns into enemy territory from the Michael Schenker Group, to compare perhaps the way that the previous groups were faring might be unfair, but it cannot be ignored, and the proof that Michael Schenker can question the listener’s capacity to take it louder than ever comes with the appreciation of the six cd box set Is It Loud Enough – Michael Schenker:1980-1983.

Louder, more imperiously deafening, and as the fan and listener alike soon discover through the first four albums of MSG and the bonus recordings of demos and the phenomenal dissection of an entire section of unreleased tracks that frankly would stand proud in any collection, what comes across is the sheer tenacity and desire to be the best.

You should never knock U.F.O., nor the Scorpions and their huge impact on the world of metal, the music is industriously cool and legendary, but it to be understood that Michael Schenker can be felt to dominate the sound and through the eponymously titled debut, 1981’s MSG, Assault Attack, and Built To Destroy, when taken as a whole, the awareness of the sound is outrageous, it is incredible, it is epic.

To celebrate the beginning of a new era in such a way, to utilise memory and introduce the sound from the owner of the Flying V is to be congratulated, to immerse yourself in one sitting in music history is to feel fulfilled. An excellent box set, a cool release; one hot take of music.

Ian D. Hall