What was already a standout moment of this year’s Wacken Open Air, the world’s largest metal festival, turned into something even bigger when Michael Schenker pulled a surprise no one saw coming. After delivering a fierce My Years With UFO set to tens of thousands of attendees on Thursday night, the architect of hard rock used the world’s loudest stage to announce a brand-new Michael Schenker Group studio album: Don’t Sell Your Soul will be released on October 3rd via earMUSIC.

To mark the occasion, Schenker and his band closed the show with a world-exclusive live premiere of the new album’s title track – a powerful encore that took the Wacken crowd by surprise and was met with instant enthusiasm on the muddy festival fields.

There are guitar gods – and then there’s Michael Schenker. From his early breakthrough with Scorpions and his groundbreaking work with UFO to the formation of the Michael Schenker Group in 1979, Schenker has been a benchmark for the evolution of Hard Rock and Metal.

Decades later, MSG remains a vehicle for his uncompromising artistic vision, and ‘Don’t Sell Your Soul’ is its latest manifestation. The new album features Michael Schenker alongside longtime allies: drummer Bodo Schopf, bassist Barend Courbois, and Steve Mann on keys. On vocals: The impeccable Erik Grönwall, undoubtedly one of the best rock voices of his generation and former Skid Row lead singer.

Guest vocal appearances by Robin McAuley, Dimitri ‘Lia’ Liapakis, and Michael Voss round out the cast. ‘Don’t Sell Your Soul’ is the second part of a trilogy recorded in one inspired stretch. The first album ‘My Years with UFO’ was followed by a sold-out tour and marked a triumphant return to Schenker’s roots. With the final chapter coming in 2026, this release stands as another reminder: Michael Schenker is not still going, but still setting standards!

The album was produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss.

Don’t Sell Your Soul will be available everywhere on CD, LP, and limited transparent red vinyl via earMUSIC on October 3rd.