Jono Moulds checked out the new single from MSG for The Rock & Roll Circus. ‘Emergency’ is the opening track of MSG’s upcoming new studio album ‘Universal’.
An instant, pulsing guitar riff, provides the introduction to the brand-new single from ‘MSG - Emergency’ as the sound of keyboard/organ is coated over the top. ‘Romero’ very quickly kicks in with the opening lines ‘Travelling through time, from the past into now’, as I pick up on the time signature of the track, that ‘skips’ just as it ‘runs its course’ during the verse, but is far more substantial as the song starts to unravel, where you can clearly hear the drums almost ‘jump’ and ‘snap’ with aggression, as the riff remains ‘steadfast’ throughout.
‘Emergency’ is the haunting opening track of MSG’s upcoming new studio album ‘Universal’, where they have conscripted Ronnie Romero, as the vocalist. Some power there!!!
As the legendary guitarist explains, ‘Emergency’ is quite a complicated song with different rhythm's (as stated above) but catchy at the same time. It's fun to play and to listen to. Enjoy and Keep on Rocking”, Michael Schenker comments.
The production on this single is first class, as guitar sound is ‘meaty’ and the drums ‘loud and brash’, making for a ‘wall of rock’.
‘Romero’s’ vocals start to escalate with ‘power and menace’ during the songs second stage, and into the chorus, where lies some further interesting and cleverly embedded guitar lines, that can be picked out in-between the musical chaos that’s being generated.
Given the introduction, and influence of Romero’, the song certainly has a ‘bent’ towards a ‘Blackmore’s Rainbow’ musical feel (connection to Romero’s recent dalliances with the great man himself???), especially as we head into the chorus section, where there are ‘classical’ overtones woven into the track’s musical fabric.
Schenker’s guitar solo is played over the main riff, and again, it has that a ‘smoothness’ to its opening stratagem, this is not harsh in any shape or form, as no doubt that Schenker is playing his classic ‘Flying V’ and producing some great guitar tone.
The piece is very melodic and has been designed so that it doesn’t deviate too far away from support it’s been offered. As the solo appears to resolve itself, there is yet again, far more of a classical and melodious structure taking shape. I love the ‘haphazardness’ of the initial piece and then the obvious well-thought-out construction and harmony of the last segment. Great guitar work.
The song finishes with a mixture of the pre-chorus into chorus and more of that sweet guitar sound.
MSG have released a single that for all intents and purposes, does not have a hard commercial edge to it. Yes, there is melody galore in there, especially with the guitar pieces, but this is a real rocker, of that there is little doubt. With the addition of ‘Romero’, the song contains further gravity and command, which comes through in spades.
Production is excellent, and the band are really firing on all the cylinders they can muster. Complex and hard-hitting, I like this. I like this a lot.
Review by Jono Moulds
Check out the video for "Emergency".
MSG is:
Michael Schenker | Lead Guitar
Ronnie Romero | Vocals
Bodo Schopf | Drums
Steve Mann | Keyboards/Guitars
Barend Courbois | Bass
’Universal’ will be released on May 27th, 2022, via Atomic Fire Records.
Steelhouse info and tickets: "HERE".
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP US dates for the “50th ANNIVERSARY UNIVERSAL – WORLD TOUR 2022”
MSG online:
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Ceri Davies
Presenter and Co-Director
