Built to Destroy
Michael Schenker Group · 1983
40 min · 9 tracks · hard rock
A dynamic blend of hard rock riffs and melodic hooks that captures the vibrant energy of early '80s rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Rock My Nights Away — This track exemplifies the album's catchy hooks and energetic guitar work, serving as a defining anthem for the band during this period.
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The Dogs of War — With its powerful riff and dramatic lyrics, this song showcases Schenker's ability to meld storytelling with compelling instrumentals, making it a standout track.
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Captain Nemo — This song features an adventurous spirit and clever lyrics that reflect the band's creative ambitions while highlighting Schenker's innovative guitar solos.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances energetic hard rock with melodic hooks but lacks strong cohesion and depth for lasting appeal.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving guitar riffs and energetic vocals, establishing a high-energy tone that persists through the album's opening.
- Several tracks incorporate layered harmonies in the choruses, enhancing their melodic appeal and creating a pop-inflected hard rock sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- high-energy party atmosphere
- catchy melodies for sing-alongs
- dynamic guitar-driven excitement
- short tracks for quick enjoyment
- anthemic choruses that invite shouting
Maybe skip if you
- slow, introspective listening preference
- minimalist soundscapes and subtlety
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Built to Destroy was Michael Schenker Group's fourth studio album, released in 1983 during a phase of lineup changes and creative exploration. This album followed the band's previous release, MSG, in 1981, and represented a shift toward a more polished sound, showcasing Schenker's guitar prowess alongside a new vocalist, Gary Barden.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Rock My Nights Away 4:36
- 2 I'm Gonna Make You Mine 4:36
- 3 The Dogs of War 4:51
- 4 Systems Failing 4:18
- 5 Captain Nemo 3:23
- 6 Still Love That Little Devil 3:40
- 7 Red Sky 5:04
- 8 Time Waits (For No One) 4:04
- 9 Walk the Stage 5:39
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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