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Rating: 1983: the first chapter of the Michael Schenker Group's history closes with the great return of Gary Barden on vocals. 'Built to Destroy' is truly a fantastic name to give an hardrock album.
The cover already promises well: a beautiful lady posing while looking in Schenker's direction, who is smashing his guitar (the legendary Flying V) against a car!!! Winning team does not change (except for the new keyboardist Andy Nye). In fact, the lineup has now become stable: Ted McKenna (drums), Chris Glen (bass), and then him, Germany's best guitarist, MICHAEL SCHENKER!!!
The compositional level of 'Built to Destroy' is always very high, even if not up to the levels of Assault Attack. But it's an album worthy of being bought, just for an opener like Rock my nights away, a nice, solid and powerful hardrock with prominent piano. The unforgettable chorus of I’m Gonna Make You Mine is glorious, and the breaks are also wonderful. How can one not be amazed by the rhythm of The Dogs of War?
The vocals on this song are truly superb, not to mention Schenker's interludes/solos. Systems Failing is another great track where the synthesizer is evident in the chorus. To close the trio of instrumentals (remember Into the Arena and Ulcer?) there's Captain Nemo, a truly impossible piece to play, where he challenges himself, creating the usual great masterpiece.
Still Love That Little Devil is sung by Derek St. Holmes, a good singer too, vaguely reminiscent of Steve Perry. Red Sky is the most evocative part of the album, a very passionate track that brings to mind images of fiery sunsets. Time waits (for no one) talks about the sad reality we deal with every day: time waits for no one!!! Great rhythm, excellent structure of the piece. With the cry of “Dream on, dream on… ” begins an anthem dedicated to the most noble, fantastic, and noisy art ever invented by man, which is ROCK! It is a song worthy of being remembered, one of the most extraordinary ballads ever written: Rock Will Never Die!
And so be it: we truly hope that rock, the real one, never dies or at least is not forgotten. And this album is a great example of it.
Tracklist and Videos
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