MSG---Back To Attack Box Set

Discs 1 & 2 were recorded in Japan on 18 January 1984. Schenker’s performance is undeniably top notch and superb. The rest of the band---as always---is quite excellent, too. Each song is bursting with energy, sparkle, and sizzle. The Rock Bottom we hear on disc 2 is surprisingly fast but everything you could want it to be. Here’s the set list for disc 1:

CAPTAIN NEMO
ROCK MY NIGHTS AWAY
ARE YOU READY TO ROCK
CRY FOR THE NATIONS
ON AND ON
ATTACK OF THE MAD AXEMAN
INTO THE ARENA
COURVOISIER CONCERTO
LOST HORIZONS
ROCK WILL NEVER DIE

Disc 2:
I’M GONNA MAKE YOU MINE
SYSTEMS FAILING
STILL LOVE THAT LITTLE DEVIL
ARMED AND READY
ROCK BOTTOM
DOCTOR DOCTOR

The sound quality is very good even though the show was not professionally recorded with a mobile studio. It was recorded through the soundboard (the mixing desk used for the Public Address system) and therefore you will probably find it better to listen to the discs through speakers rather than headphones. [All of the shows on Back To Attack are soundboard recordings.]

Right, and now we come to disc 3: It was recorded in Portland, Oregon on 14 December 1983. It only contains six songs which tally up to a measly 28 minutes. HOW RUDE! Whoever made this decision has slapped our faces with a gargantuan amount of disrespect. Didn’t they know that cd’s can now hold 80 minutes of material? Even if the rest of this show has been lost due to accident or neglect, the Decision Maker could’ve put other material onto this disc. And yet, what makes the matter all the more hateful is the fact that this show features Schenker ON FIRE! His performance is even better than the above-mentioned show in Japan---and that’s really saying something! In fact, it proves once and for all that he was the very best heavy metal guitarist of the 20th century---even better than Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Gary Hoey, Uli Jon Roth, Tommy Iommi, Vivian Cambell, Eddie Van Halen---and yes, even Hendrix! Enough said. Check it out for yourself. The set list for disc 3 is as follows:

CAPTAIN NEMO
ROCK MY NIGHTS AWAY
ARE YOU READY TO ROCK
CRY FOR THE NATIONS
ON AND ON
ATTACK OF THE MAD AXEMAN.

Gary Barden is dynamite---full of hard rockin energy---and so is the rest of the band. The sound quality is usually very good and seems to highlight Schenker but there are a few minor dropouts here & there---and they’re insignificant. They really are.

And now we come to disc 4. It was recorded in Holland at the Pink Pop Festival on 08 June 1981. The sound quality varies between good and very good. It’s a bit rough at times but you’ll get used to it. As for Schenker’s performance…well, it’s not as good as the other two shows in this digipack, but it’s still interesting. No, it’s not bad, just a little sloppy here & there…I think I’m warming up to it a little more each time I hear it…Here’s the set list for disc 4:

ATTACK OF THE MAD AXEMAN
VICTIM OF ILLUSION
NATURAL THING
FEELS LIKE A GOOD THING
ROCK BOTTOM
LOST HORIZONS
DOCTOR DOCTOR.

I feel very fortunate to own this 4 cd digipack. It’s only early November as I write these words but I feel as happy as a spoiled brat on Christmas Day. My only complaint is that most of the discs could’ve & should’ve had more material put onto them---and maybe the Decision Makers will keep this in mind the next time they release some more concert recordings of MSG (and how about some dvd’s???). I certainly hope so. (You guys could’ve squeezed in another show or two)…(By the way, what happened to the songs from the Assault Attack album which were played each night on the 83/84 Tour?) Anyhow, thank you Mr. Schenker & Mr. Barden. Thank you for playing so well and for releasing these recordings.