MICHAEL SCHENKER – OSAKA 2026 ORIGINAL IEM RECORDING (2 CD-R)

Description

Festival Hall, Osaka, Japan 29th January 2026

　Guitar god Michael Schenker came to Japan on his special UFO tour, “MY YEARS WITH UFO.” A complete collection of four original titles from his recently concluded Japan tour will be released simultaneously!

　This work is the final of four simultaneous releases. It is an ear-in monitor intercepted sound source from the final day, “January 29, 2026: Osaka Festival Hall” performance. Of the four titles released simultaneously, three were the finest audience recordings of each performance, but this work is different. It is a completely soundboard-class, ultra-unique live album.

　Because of its extremely special sound, this work is sure to spread throughout the world as a “new masterpiece from Japan” that goes beyond the dimension of “memories of visiting Japan.” For this reason, let’s take a look at the show’s position from a global perspective.

●2025
March 11th + 14th: MOR Cruise (2 shows)
{Robin McCauley replaced by Eric Gronwall}
“MY YEARS WITH UFO Tour”
・April 9th ​​- May 15th: Europe #1 (28 shows) ←*BARCELONA 2025, etc.
・June 28th – August 23rd: Europe #2 (9 shows) ←*WACKEN 2025
{Gronwall replaced by RD Liapakis}
・September 5th – October 19th: North America (30 shows) ←*WARRENDALE 2025
●2026
{Liapakis replaced by Gronwall/complete replacement of backing musicians}
・January 26th – 29th: Japan (3 shows) ←★Here★
《Gronwall → Liapakis replacement (?)》
February 18th – March 22nd: Europe #3 (25 performances)
April 7th – 13th: Germany (7 performances)
August 22nd + 23rd: SOUND OF THE AGES appearance

[A superb IEM album born from the master collection]
　This is the 2025/2026 schedule that has been announced so far. This Japan performance was the first performance venue of 2026, and the Osaka performance of this work was the final day.

　This work, recorded at that show, has three main points: “Superb original IEM sound,” “A luxurious lineup exclusive to Japan,” and “A performance hailed as the best gig ever.” First, the sound. This is already a top-notch original IEM. Our shop’s familiar master, “West Japan’s Strongest Taper,” intercepted Eric Gronwall’s (vocals) IEMs. There are absolutely no counting or clicking sounds common with IEMs, and the instrument balance is perfectly balanced for a vocalist. While the balance is unstable in a few places, such as the opening part and Michael Foss’s “Let It Roll,” this is not a recording issue but a mistake made by the on-site engineer when changing the mix. While the volume may be a little low, it recovers quickly.

　Above all, the sound quality itself is superb. The raw, unprocessed sound feels more like “unearthed official” than “fully official,” but in any case, the quality is unmistakable and unparalleled.

[A luxurious lineup exclusive to Japan] This ultra-raw sound depicts an ensemble that could only be realized
　in Japan. While each leg has had a different vocalist, the Japanese leg has completely replaced the lineup. With a cast of accomplished veterans like Derek Sherinian (formerly of DREAM THEATER, etc.), Brian Tichy (formerly of WHITESNAKE, etc.), Barry Sparks (formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen, etc.), and Michael Foss (formerly of MAD MAX, etc.), this band has become a super band on a different level than their European or North American counterparts.

　Moreover, this lineup is exclusive to Japan. It was announced that the band would return to the North American leg lineup for “Europe #3” after leaving Japan, making this a special lineup that will only be performed three times worldwide.

[The final culmination of a rapidly evolving ensemble]
　Of these three shows, the Osaka performance is said to be the best. From the very first day, the performance was hard to believe, given the rapidly expanding lineup, but it continued to evolve with each performance. At the final Osaka performance, rather than simply playing the songs perfectly, the beat became tight and crisp, and the combination with the other instruments even felt breathtaking. It was a shame to end the show in Japan, as the band performed a truly band-like ensemble. And to top it all off, ARCH ENEMY’s Michael Amott appeared on the final encore track, “Too Hot to Handle.” He and Amott also performed together at the Nippon Budokan, and this album’s performance is truly captivating with its vivid, IEM-rich sound.

　Featuring a Japan-exclusive lineup, an evolved ensemble, and guest appearances, this IEM album delivers a direct sound experience straight from your brain. While the mix is ​​a bit off in places, this release is being released through the Shades label, and the high quality and richness of the performance make it a masterpiece worthy of being pressed. This is truly a new masterpiece from Japan. Experience the miraculous UFO paradise to the fullest.

★Original IEM intercepted audio from the “January 29, 2026: Osaka Festival Hall” performance. Eric Gronwall’s IEMs, renowned for being “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper,” are completely free of any counting or clicking sounds, and the instrument balance is perfectly balanced for the vocalist. Not only is this an all-UFO set, but it also features a Japan-exclusive lineup, performances hailed as the best of the best, and guest appearances by Michael Amott, making this a new masterpiece from Japan that the world will envy.

Disc:1 (61:11)
1. Intro.
2. Natural Thing
3. Only You Can Rock Me
4. Hot ‘n’ Ready
5. Doctor Doctor
6. Bass solo
7. Mother Mary
8. I’m a Loser
9. This Kid’s
10. Lights Out
11. Drum solo
12. Lipstick Traces / Between the Walls / Belladonna
13. Love to Love

Disc:2 (47:35)
1. Let It Roll
2. Keyboard solo
3. Can You Roll Her
4. Reasons Love
5. Jam
6. Rock Bottom
7. Shoot Shoot
8. Too Hot to Handle (with Michael Amott)

Michael Schenker – Guitars
Erik Groenwall – Vocals
Barry Sparks – Bass
Brian Tichy – Drums
Derek Sherinian – Keyboards
Michael Voss – Vocals, Guitars