Michael Schenker stunned the metal world with a surprise announcement at this year’s Wacken Open Air, the globe’s largest metal festival, held last Thursday, July 31, 2025. After a fierce “My Years With UFO” set for tens of thousands, the hard rock pioneer revealed a new Michael Schenker Group (MSG) studio album, Don’t Sell Your Soul, set for release on October 3 via earMUSIC. The night ended with a world-exclusive live premiere of the title track, igniting the muddy festival fields with enthusiasm.
A Night of Historic Moments
The announcement was capped by Schenker and his band performing “Don’t Sell Your Soul” as a powerful encore, a moment that caught the Wacken crowd off guard. Pre-save the single here. Earlier, the set featured a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration when Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash joined Schenker for the UFO classic “Mother Mary,” showcasing two rock icons side by side—a scene etched into festival lore.
Album Details: A Trilogy Continues
Don’t Sell Your Soul is the second installment of an album trilogy that began with 2024’s My Years With UFO. Produced by Schenker and Michael Voss, the album was recorded with longtime collaborators Bodo Schopf (drums), Barend Courbois (bass), and Steve Mann (guitar, keys). Leading the vocals is Erik Grönwall, hailed as one of the finest rock voices of his generation, with guest appearances by Robin McAuley, Dimitri “Lia” Liapakis, and Michael Voss. The album will be available on CD, LP, and limited transparent red vinyl, with pre-orders starting Friday, August 1. Pre-order here.
A Legacy Reinvented
From his early days with Scorpions and UFO to founding MSG in 1979, Schenker’s influence on hard rock and metal remains unmatched. This new release continues his legacy of artistic vision, building on the momentum of his Wacken performance and the trilogy’s first chapter.
Don’t Sell Your Soul will be available on CD, LP, and limited transparent red vinyl.
Pre-orders start Friday, August 1st.
Tracklisting:
CD:
- Don’t Selll Your Soul
- Danger Zone
- Eye of the Storm
- Janey the Fox
- Can’t Stand Waiting
- Sign of the Times
- The Chosen
- It’s You
- Sixstring Shotgun
- Flesh & Bone
- Surrender
LP:
A
- Don’t Selll Your Soul
- Danger Zone
- Eye of the Storm
- Janey the Fox
- Can’t Stand Waiting
B
- Sign of the Times
- The Chosen
- It’s You
- Sixstring Shotgun
- Flesh & Bone
- Surrender
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Michael Schenker Unveils New MSG Album Don’t Sell Your Soul at Wacken Open Air | Release Date October 3, 2025 @RockNews
