The name of the English quintet UFO is a legend in Rock, Hard Rock and Metal scene, and influenced acts from any Metal genre one can think of, as ANTHRAX, DEF LEPPARD, IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA, JUDAS PRIEST, DIO, MEGADETH, SLAYER, MERCYFUL FATE, TESTAMENT, CARCASS, OVERKILL, SAXON, ICED EARTH, ANVIL, THE OFFSPRING, ALICE IN CHAINS, THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, TESLA, DOKKEN, MONSTER MAGNET, EUROPE and many others, and such roll of bands shows as they reached different genres. But one fact that many don’t know: that the rise to success of the quintet coincides with the coming of the German guitar hero Michael Schenker. And his first tenure of 5 years (from 1973 to 1978) was enough to make the quintet a legend into music. And paying a homage to his days on the band, Michael is releasing a tribute album from days on the quintet, called “My Years with UFO” to celebrate 50 years of his arrival to their ranks.

The first thing to understand is that such songs were written and recorded on days when labels didn’t exit, when people was worried about music (and not with definitions created to fix bands on a place in the world), so you will have the clear idea of dealing with a Rock or Hard Rock release. But in the end of all, it’s clear that even with the existence of giants as LED ZEPPELIN, DEEP PURPLE, KISS and others (BLACK SABBATH is another case), UFO wasn’t an inferior band to them, and such words aren’t a joke. Pay attention to this set of songs and understand how they were ambitious. At the same time, by Michael’s playing, the listeners will understand why the Flying V hero’s name is spoken with extreme respect by many guitarists you love and influenced your taste.

The production (done by Michael and Michael Voss) is truly amazing, clean and defined as the modern models are. But pay attention: Michael and his friends (the guests on the album) aren’t so close to endless overdubs or boosting things using computers, but fond to find tunes by their own hands. And by guests, it’s a true Rock ‘n’ Roll dream team: Axl Rose, Dee Snider, Joey Tempest, Roger Glover, Joe Lynn Turner, Biff Byford, Stephen Pearcy, Slash, Joel Hoekstra, John Norum, Jeff Scott Soto, Kai Hansen, and Adrian Vandenberg.

Such songs and such line-up are enough to guarantee your total satisfaction when dealing with classics as “Only You Can Rock Me” (a true and massive Boogie/Hard Rock with intense melodies), “Doctor, Doctor” (if you never heard this song before, you don’t know Metal or Hard Rock, so correct yourself, because it’s an eternal classic, with all its contrasts and melodic hooks), “This Kid’s”, “Love to Love”, “Lights Out” (a true hot ‘n’ heavy song with tons of weight, and it’s another eternal hymn of the band), “Rock Bottom” (here you’ll understand as UFO is a huge influence for NWOBHM and German Metal in one shot) and “Too Hot to Handle” (one of the early influences for Glam Metal can be heard here). But’s impossible to not feeling the heart beating stronger as “Natural Thing”, “Mother Mary”, “Let It Roll” and “Shoot, Shoot”, only if you’re trying to be ‘real’ or ‘true’ in a way that doesn’t make sense and is childish.

Oh, you like these songs and want to know the original versions? They can be found on “Phenomenon”, “Force It”, “No Heavy Petting”, “Lights Out”, “Obsession”, and make a favor to yourself and get the live album “Strangers in the Night” as well. It’ll be a great experience for you. “My Years with UFO” is truly a birthday gift that Michael is offering to you. Get it!