Arachnophobiac
Michael Schenker Group · 2003
52 min · 11 tracks · hard rock
Dynamic hard rock infused with melodic hooks and soaring guitar solos that showcase Schenker's virtuosity and songwriting depth.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Evermore — The opening track sets the tone with its powerful riffs and showcases Schenker's signature guitar style alongside strong vocal melodies.
-
→
Arachnophobiac — The title track stands out for its catchy chorus and intricate guitar work, encapsulating the album's themes of fear and introspection.
-
→
Rock and Roll Believer — This track highlights a more upbeat energy with anthemic qualities, reflecting a sense of resilience that resonates throughout the album.
-
→
Into the Sands of Time — The song combines reflective lyrics with a compelling arrangement, showcasing emotional depth while maintaining the hard rock sound.
-
→
Alive — Ending the album on an uplifting note, this track features engaging melodies and lyrics about hope and perseverance, leaving a lasting impression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends classic hard rock with modern elements, showcasing strong guitar work and varied song structures.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving rhythms and prominent guitar solos, establishing a high-energy opening.
- Several songs incorporate shifts in tempo, with slower interludes that highlight melodic hooks before returning to faster sections.
- The album includes layered vocal harmonies that complement the guitar work, particularly in the choruses of tracks like 'Rock and Roll Believer'.
- The final track features an extended instrumental outro that showcases Schenker's guitar prowess, concluding the album on a dynamic note.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- melodic hooks with depth
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2003, Arachnophobiac marked the Michael Schenker Group's return after a six-year hiatus since their previous album, The Unforgiven. This album came during a period of reinvigoration for Schenker, who was re-establishing his career in the hard rock scene after years of fluctuating involvement with various projects.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Evermore 5:22
- 2 Illusion 5:24
- 3 Arachnophobiac 4:46
- 4 Rock and Roll Believer 4:07
- 5 Into the Sands of Time 4:38
- 6 Weathervane 5:02
- 7 Over Now 5:47
- 8 One World 4:06
- 9 Break the Cycle 3:50
- 10 Alive 4:50
- 11 Fatal Strike 4:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.