UFO is one of those rare bands that manage to fit the categories of cult band and legendary band simultaneously. From the band's humble beginnings in early 70s England to it's rise at the end of that decade to international arena mainstays through the leaner, but no less credible, eighties, the central figure and voice of the band has been one Phil Mogg. Though the band has seen no less than six guitarists (seven counting keyboardist/guitarist Paul Raymond) come and go (and come again!), it has been Mogg who has had the grit and talent to keep the vessel flying for nearly three decades! For all the talent this group has featured in the guitar department, there is, of course one who stands above the rest as a bonafide guitar god: The Blonde Bomber himself, Michael Schenker. While it has been common knowledge for years that these two men have had their differences, no one who has heard their music can deny the chemical reaction that occurs when they put aside the bullshit and do what they do best.

1994 saw the two reconvene with original members Pete Way and Andy Parker along with the aforementioned Raymond for their first album in sixteen years. The result was the instant classic Walk On Water (see our review elsewhere on the site), a collection of powerful, catchy rockers featuring Schenker's melodic playing and Mogg's unmistakable blues/rock growl. The band also remade the two songs that they are most known for, Doctor, Doctor and Lights Out, much to the delight of fans everywhere. (Of course, the US fans had to wait two whole years for a domestic release, but better late than never.). During the ensuing tour, Schenker left the band suddenly, a move that echoed his often tumultuous tenure in UFO in the 70s. Fans were left shaken and confused. 1998 saw the band on the road again to their further confusion, but obvious relief. However, during a show in Japan, Michael threw his guitar down and left the stage suddenly, to the horror of both crowd and bandmates! The facts in the case are vague, but apparently Schenker had grown increasingly displeased with the band's management, or lack of it, according to him. Why he chose to leave so abruptly in the middle of a gig remains cloudy, at best. Jump to the spring of 2000 and, once again, Schenker is back in the fold and working with Mogg, Way and drummer Aynsley Dunbar on a new UFO record. If Walk On Water was thus titled because a potential reunion was seen as a miracle, then this most recent effort should have been called The Fourth or Fifth Coming, instead of,you guessed it, Covenant.

Straight out of the gate we are treated to classic UFO: Thick, Gibson/Marshall power chords crash in, precursor to the fiery soul of Phil Mogg. Schenker is all over this track and will have fans staring with familiar awe at the speakers churning out this sonic apology of sorts. All is forgiven, Michael. This one ranks right up there with Natural Thing, This Kid's and Mother Mary to name but a few of the band's beloved classics. The final minute of this track is what great songwriting is all about and the fade-out leaves you either mourning the song's end or quickly hitting the old back button on your disc player! Unraveled is a bit of a singalong temper tantrum from Mogg and includes the wonderfully blunt line "I'm surging with power, may kill the bitch!" He obviously isn't screwing around, but you can't help but laugh at the brutal honesty of it! Miss The Lights, as perceived by this listener, is Mogg's not-so-fond farewell to the departed Paul Raymond, laced with venomous barbs such as "I guess you miss everybody hanging onto your name" and "you'd better get down on those pinky knees and start to pray!" (See our interview with Phil for a more in-depth explanation of Raymond's exit.) Incidentally, the former two songs contain backing vocals that seem out of place on a UFO record. While I do acknowledge the addition of backing vocals on both tracks, the songs would have benefited greatly had they been sung by Mogg. Both are good, solid rockers, in spite of that, though.

Midnight Train is an updated delta blues smoker that Schenker has revved up to off-the-rails-velocity. The following track, Fool's Gold, is one of those great songs that you know you're going to love within seconds of the first note. The mellow, soul-drenched intro, complete with strings recalling Looking Out For No. 1 and Love To Love, gives way to a wall of blistering, crash and burn wailing from Schenker , Way and Dunbar. Rock is dead they say? Play this for 'em! The mid-tempo headbanger In the Middle of Madness follows with some nice multi-layered guitar from the former wunderkind from Germany. Mogg revisits his familiar "down-and-out" theme in the rocking Smell of Money. A very Beatle-esque bridge lends a regal air to this track, setting the stage for Michael to fire off a simply scorching lead break. Pete Way starts off the next track, Rise Again, with some very nice melodic bass work. The band crashes in and we have another fist pumping rocker on our hands. The strange backing vocals make another appearance here, however, weakening the track slightly.

Spanish flavored melody is on the menu in Serenade, a catchy mid-tempo number with some impressive guitar and bass. The velvety acoustic work on tap here is another facet of Schenker's brilliant playing that has become an integral part of the UFO sound in recent years. The pleasant timbre of his custom Ovation electro-acoustic is absolutely beautiful and as recognizable as his electric tone, to be sure. Oh, and just try to get the chorus out of your head! Good luck. Schenker rescues the next track, Cowboy Joe, from mediocrity with some exciting rhythm playing, breathtaking acoustic work and one of his most blazing Flying V assault attacks in recent memory. The party's not over, yet though, as Schenker comes right back exploring the bottom strings a bit (a la Into The Arena) on The World and His Dog. Mogg shows his ability to come up with totally original melody lines, but again it's Schenker who grabs the spotlight with a light-speed flurry of notes followed by a Middle Eastern bridge section that is much too short, but nonetheless captivating.

Obviously, Mssrs. Schenker and Mogg are intelligent enough to know which side their bread is buttered on, and they have proven once again that the product is indeed greater than the sum of the parts. With any luck, they'll keep it together long enough to hit these shores (U.S.) as tentatively slated for early next year. 'Til then, crank it up and keep your fingers crossed!

Addendum: As a gift to the fans, when you purchase Covenant you get a bonus 7 song live CD, UFO - Live USA, which is a very raw sounding live set. Listening to it is almost like being at a UFO, and guess what? It's not perfect, but it's live music. It must have been a really good night for Michael Schenker as he rips on songs like Mother Mary, Venus, and This Kids. Phil Mogg's voice sounds as soulful and emotive as ever as he pours his soul into Love To Love. Another reason to run and pick up Covenant!

Shred - 8
Production - 7
Vibe - 9
Songwriting - 9

Overall - 8