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Tag: scorpions
0 New RONNIE JAMES DIO Covers Album “This Is Your Life” Celebrates the Life and Legacy of a Legend
New RONNIE JAMES DIO Covers Album “This Is Your Life”
Celebrates the Life and Legacy of a Legend
available April 1, 2014 via Rhino
This Is Your Life Pays Tribute To The Late Singer With Covers Of
His Greatest Songs From Rainbow, Black Sabbath, And Dio
Features Newly Recorded Tracks From Anthrax, Halestorm, Rob Halford, Metallica, Motörhead, Scorpions, Corey Taylor, And Tenacious D, Among Others
To Benefit The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund
Ronnie James Dio is one of the most beloved figures in rock history. His gifts, both as a singer and songwriter, are instantly recognizable, whether he was with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, or leading Dio. Sadly, Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2010, but his towering voice and legacy live on.
To celebrate one of rock’s most powerful voices, an all-star group of his friends and fans recorded 13 of their favorite tracks for a tribute album that will raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (diocancerfund.org). Produced by his longtime manager and wife Wendy Dio, the album includes contributions by such metal heavyweights as Metallica, Motörhead, Scorpions, Anthrax, and Rob Halford, as well as appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years.
This Is Your Life will be available from Rhino on April 1, 2014 for a suggested list price of $18.98. A digital version will also be available.
Although the songs featured on the album touch on the different eras of Dio’s career, several spotlight his time with Rainbow, including Metallica’s epic, nine-minute “Ronnie Rising Medley,” which combines the Rainbow songs “A Light In The Black,” “Tarot Woman,” “Stargazer,” and “Kill The King.” Scorpions add a scorching take on “The Temple Of The King” while Motörhead is joined by Biff Byford from Saxon on “Starstruck.” Rob Halford teams with frequent Dio collaborators Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, and Scott Warren for “The Man On The Silver Mountain.” The final line-up of Dio’s solo band – Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo and Scott Warren – are joined by Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) for “Catch The Rainbow,” a track from Rainbow’s 1975 debut.
Anthrax and Adrenaline Mob honor Dio’s memorable stint with Black Sabbath with their takes on “Neon Knights” and “The Mob Rules” respectively, as does a group, led by Oni Logan on vocals along with Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy, which performs “I” from Dehumanizer.
This Is Your Life also includes songs from Dio’s back-to-back platinum albums Holy Diver (1983) and The Last In Line (1984), with Doro’s take on “Egypt (The Chains Are On)”, Halestorm tackling “Straight Through The Heart,” Corey Taylor (Stone Sour, Slipknot) covering the classic “Rainbow In The Dark” and Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Glass) putting their signature spin on “The Last In Line.” Killswitch Engage’s cover of “Holy Diver,” a hit in its own right when released in 2006, is also included here.
Fittingly, Ronnie James Dio provides the finale (and the album’s title) with his moving performance of “This Is Your Life.” Originally released on Angry Machines (1996), the song’s lyrics explore mortality and are backed by a stark and beautiful arrangement that features Dio accompanied only by his longtime keyboardist Scott Warren on piano. The song serves as a poignant reminder that we will never hear a voice like Dio’s again.
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, co-founded by Wendy Dio, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable fund dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention when dealing with this deadly disease.
RONNIE JAMES DIO: This Is Your Life Track Listing:
- “Neon Knights” – Anthrax*
- “The Last In Line” – Tenacious D*
- “The Mob Rules” – Adrenaline Mob
- “Rainbow In The Dark” – Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher*
- “Straight Through The Heart” – Halestorm*
- “Starstruck” – Motörhead with Biff Byford*
- “The Temple Of The King” – Scorpions*
- “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” – Doro
- “Holy Diver” – Killswitch Engage
- “Catch The Rainbow” – Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren*
- “I” – Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy*
- “Man On The Silver Mountain” – Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren*
- “Ronnie Rising Medley (Featuring A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King)” – Metallica*
- “This Is Your Life” – Dio
* Previously unreleased
0 Legendary international hard rockers Scorpions MTV UNPLUGGED out 1/21
Sony International is proud to announce the release of legendary international hard rockers the Scorpions’ new offering MTV UNPLUGGED. Due out in North America on January 21st, 2014, material from MTV UNPLUGGED is taken from the Scorpions’ first-ever “MTV Unplugged” show and features new acoustic versions of best-loved classic hits, as well as five brand new songs. MTV UNPLUGGED will be available in North America as a deluxe CD + DVD package and as a Blu-Ray. MTV UNPLUGGED will be released in 50 countries, a testament to the German band’s iconic status worldwide.
Recorded and filmed just a few months ago on September 11th and September 12th of this year, the Scorpions’ MTV UNPLUGGED was culled from two dynamic acoustic sets at the Lycabettus Theatre in Athens, Greece. The spectacular open-air theatre, situated 300 meters above the city, was an impressive backdrop for the first-ever open-air show in the history of “MTV Unplugged” (the theatre also shares a birth year with the Scorpions themselves, having been built in 1965, the same year the Scorpions formed).
The Scorpions is Klaus Meine (vocals/guitar), Rudolf Schenker (guitars/vocals), Matthias Jabs (guitars), Pawel Maciwoda (bass) and James Kottak (drums). Additional musical support on MTV UNPLUGGED includes contributions from Swedish musicians and producers Mikael Nord Andersson (guitars, mandolin, lap steel, vocals) and Martin Hansen (guitars, harmonica, vocals); the duo is also responsible for the arrangements on MTV UNPLUGGED.
The Scorpions is one of the most successful international hard rock bands of all time, selling upwards of 75 million records worldwide and playing more than 5,000 concerts in 80+ countries globally. Formed in Germany in 1965, the band has come to be known for their colossal radio and MTV hits “Rock You Like A Hurricane,” “No One Like You” and “Wind Of Change,” as well as their status as international rock ambassadors. VH1 ranked the Scorpions as the #46 Artist on the “Greatest Artists Of Hard Rock” special, while “Rock You Like A Hurricane” came in at #18 on VH1’s “Greatest Hard Rock Songs”. The band recently received a star on the Hollywood Rock Walk in Los Angeles. To date, the Scorpions have released 18 studio albums and 5 live records. For more information, please visit www.the-scorpions.com.
0 LEGENDARY INTERNATIONAL HARD ROCKERS SCORPIONS’ “MTV UNPLUGGED” TRACK LISTING REVEALED
CD/DVD AND BLU-RAY DUE OUT JANUARY 21ST IN NORTH AMERICA
VIA SONY INTERNATIONAL; PACKAGE INCLUDES NEW ACOUSTIC VERSIONS OF BEST-LOVED CLASSIC HITS AS WELL AS NEW MATERIAL
The track listing for legendary international hard rockers the Scorpions‘ new offering MTV UNPLUGGED has just been revealed. Please see below for the complete list of songs on the CD and DVD. Due out in North America on January 21st, 2014, material from MTV UNPLUGGED is taken from the Scorpions‘ first-ever “MTV Unplugged” show and features new acoustic versions of best-loved classic hits, as well as five brand new songs. MTV UNPLUGGED will be available in North America as a deluxe CD + DVD package and as a Blu-Ray. MTV UNPLUGGED is being released in 50 countries, a testament to the German band’s iconic status worldwide.
Recorded and filmed just a few months ago on September 11th and September 12th of this year, the Scorpions‘ MTV UNPLUGGED was culled from two dynamic acoustic sets at the Lycabettus Theatre in Athens, Greece. The spectacular open-air theatre, situated 300 meters above the city, was an impressive backdrop for the first-ever open-air show in the history of “MTV Unplugged” (the theatre also shares a birth year with the Scorpions themselves, having been built in 1965, the same year the Scorpions formed). In other news, the Scorpions are still in the midst of their epic Farewell World Tour; the tour has been going on for more than three years now. To the delight of their fans there is no end in sight, as to date the band has only played 23 out of the 38 countries planned on the itinerary.
The Scorpions is Klaus Meine (vocals/guitar), Rudolf Schenker (guitars/vocals), Matthias Jabs (guitars), Pawel Maciwoda (bass) and James Kottak (drums); additional musical support on MTV UNPLUGGED includes contributions from Swedish musicians and producers Mikael Nord Andersson (guitars, mandolin, lap steel, vocals) and Martin Hansen (guitars, harmonica, vocals). The duo is also responsible for the arrangements on MTV UNPLUGGED.
The Scorpions is one of the most successful international hard rock bands of all time, selling upwards of 75 million records worldwide and playing more than 5,000 concerts in 80+ countries globally. Formed in Germany in 1965, the band has come to be known for their colossal radio and MTV hits “Rock You Like A Hurricane,” “No One Like You” and “Wind Of Change,” as well as their status as international rock ambassadors. VH1 ranked the Scorpions as the #46 Artist on the “Greatest Artists Of Hard Rock” special, while “Rock You Like A Hurricane” came in at #18 on VH1’s “Greatest Hard Rock Songs”. The band recently received a star on the Hollywood Rock Walk in Los Angeles. To date, the Scorpions have released 18 studio albums and 5 live records.
Scorpions MTV UNPLUGGED track listing:
CD:
1. Sting In The Tail
2. Can’t Live Without You
3. The Best Is Yet To Come
4. Dancing With The Moonlight – new song
5. Delicate Dance – new song
6. Love Is The Answer – new song
7. Follow Your Heart – new song
8. Send Me An Angel
9. Where The River Flows
10. Rock You Like A Hurricane
11. Blackout
12. Still Loving You
13. Big City Nights
14. Wind Of Change
15. No One Like You
DVD:
1. Sting In The Tail
2. Can’t Live Without You
3. Pictured Life
4. Speedy’s Coming
5. Born To Touch Your Feelings
6. The Best Is Yet To Come
7. Dancing With The Moonlight – new song
8. In Trance
9. When You Came Into My Life
10. Delicate Dance – new song
11. Love Is The Answer – new song
12. Follow Your Heart – new song
13. Send Me An Angel
14. Where The River Flows
15. Passion Rules The Game
16. Rock You Like A Hurricane
17. Hit Between The Eyes
18. Drum-Athenica
19. Rock N’ Roll Band – new song
20. Blackout
21. Still Loving You
22. Big City Nights
23. Wind Of Change
24. No One Like You
25. When The Smoke Is Going Down
0 LEGENDARY INTERNATIONAL HARD ROCKERS SCORPIONS TO RELEASE “MTV UNPLUGGED” JANUARY 21ST, 2014 IN NORTH AMERICA VIA SONY INTERNATIONAL
CD/DVD PACKAGE INCLUDES EXCITING NEW
ACOUSTIC VERSIONS OFBEST-LOVED CLASSIC
HITS AS WELL AS NEW MATERIAL
Sony International is proud to announce the release of legendary international hard rockers the Scorpions‘ new offering MTV UNPLUGGED. Due out in North America on January 21st, 2014, material from MTV UNPLUGGED is taken from the Scorpions‘ first-ever “MTV Unplugged” show and features new acoustic versions of best-loved classic hits, as well as five brand new songs. MTV UNPLUGGED will be available in two formats – a standard CD and a deluxe version featuring CD + DVD. MTV UNPLUGGED will be released in 50 countries, a testament to the German band’s iconic status worldwide. The exact track listing will be announced at a later date.
Recorded and filmed just a few months ago on September 11th and September 12th of this year, the Scorpions‘ MTV UNPLUGGED was culled from two dynamic acoustic sets at the Lycabettus Theatre in Athens, Greece. The spectacular open-air theatre, situated 300 meters above the city, was an impressive backdrop for the first-ever open-air show in the history of “MTV Unplugged” (the theatre also shares a birth year with the Scorpions themselves, having been built in 1965, the same year the Scorpions formed). Of the choice to film/record MTV UNPLUGGED at the Lycabettus Theatre, Scorpions‘ singer/guitarist Klaus Meine commented, “We have fabulous fans all over the world, but the Greeks are absolute die-hards fans.”
The Scorpions is Klaus Meine (vocals/guitar), Rudolf Schenker (guitars/vocals), Matthias Jabs (guitars), Pawel Maciwoda (bass) and James Kottak (drums); additional musical support on MTV UNPLUGGED includes contributions from Swedish musicians and producers Mikael Nord Andersson (guitars, mandolin, lap steel, vocals) and Martin Hansen (guitars, harmonica, vocals). The duo is also responsible for the arrangements on MTV UNPLUGGED.
In other news, the Scorpions are still in the midst of their epic Farewell World Tour; the tour has been going on for more than three years now. To the delight of their fans there is no end in sight, as to date the band has only played 23 out of the 38 countries planned on the itinerary.
The Scorpions is one of the most successful international hard rock bands of all time, selling upwards of 75 million records worldwide and playing more than 5,000 concerts in 80+ countries globally. Formed in Germany in 1965, the band has come to be known for their colossal radio and MTV hits “Rock You Like A Hurricane,” “No One Like You” and “Wind Of Change,” as well as their status as international rock ambassadors. VH1 ranked the Scorpions as the #46 Artist on the “Greatest Artists Of Hard Rock” special, while “Rock You Like A Hurricane” came in at #18 on VH1’s “Greatest Hard Rock Songs”. The band recently received a star on the Hollywood Rock Walk in Los Angeles. To date, the Scorpions have released 18 studio albums and 5 live records.
For more information, please visit:
5 Scorpions – Comeblack (2012)
The Scorpions have returned with Comeblack, their last studio album before the band retires. Comeblack is one half re-recorded originals, and one half cover tunes.
How does it stack up? Comeblack shows you just how good the Scorpions original songs are. The versions on Comeblack are not quite as aggressive as the originals. Klaus doesn’t push his voice as much as he did on the original tunes. I have found that the songs are slightly different. The tempo may be a little different on some of the songs. I have heard the original versions of these tunes hundreds of times, so some of the nuances stand out to me quite a bit. To the average fan, they may not notice much of a difference, if any. The cool thing is…all of the songs still work. I prefer the original versions of the songs, but the versions on Comeblack are still very good.
I have never been a big fan of cover song CD’s, but I have to admit the cover songs on this CD, are really good. My favorites of six covers are “Tainted Love”, “All Day and All of the Night” and “Ruby Tuesday”. All of the cover songs are very good. I am convinced that Klaus Meine could sing anything, and make it sound good. To my ears, “Tainted Love” and “All Day and All of the Night” are easily as good, if not better than the originals versions.
Is Comeblack worth picking up? If you are a fan of the Scorpions, you should definitely get this. It is the last studio album the band will ever do. The cover songs are pretty good, and are definitely worth adding to your collection.
My only wish is that someone could talk the Scorpions out of their retirement talk. Comeblack shows me that the band still has plenty of fuel in the tank.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Track Listing:
01. Rhythm of Love
02. No One Like You
03. The Zoo
04. Rock You Like A Hurricane
05. Blackout
06. Wind of Change
07. Still Loving You
08. Tainted Love
09. Children of The Revolution
10. Across the Universe
11. Tin Soldier
12. All Day and All of the Night
13. Ruby Tuesday
Scorpions are:
Klaus Meine – Vocals
Rudolf Schenker – Guitars
Matthias Jabs – Guitars
Pawel Maciwoda – Bass
James Kottak – Drums
3 Stone’s Top Ten Albums Of 2010!
Hard Rock Hideout’s Stone – Picking the “top ten list” of anything in life is not that easy. Choosing my Top Ten Albums Of 2010 proved to be more daunting than I had initially expected, with there being multiple dozens of excellent albums released this past year, spanning across each sub-genre of Metal, not to mention Hard Rock and Rock as well. I decided this year, to pick out only those ten albums that I can honestly say moved me… as a complete album of songs. I have neverlimited my ears, mind and soul to just Metal, anyone who knows me, understands this. Therefore, finding an album in my “top ten” that is not full-throttle, pedal to the Metal, shouldn’t come across as scandalous.
An album that makes my “top ten” list will move me emotionally, sending signals to my senses that either A: psyches-me-out of my Metal mind or B: makes me feel as though I’ve found a long lost friend, a friend I’ll now have for the rest of my Metal life. Of course quality musicianship, songwriting and overall production comes into play… only those three attributes will fall into place when an album is truly special to me.
Maybe you’ll enjoy, become slightly amused and or confused by my Top Ten Albums Of 2010. Either way, my intent is to showcase and appluad these albums and the bands that created them. Hopefully I peak your interest to buy an album or two from this list. These are the albums that will stand the test of my Metal time on Earth.
#10 KATAKLYSM – HEAVEN’S VENOM
KATAKLYSM epitomizes the marriage of melodic and heavy… and succeeds so brilliantly in a Death Metal genre, a genre that has profoundly matured into mandatory importance in my Metal history book, many full moons ago. I’ll say this time and again, when Maurizio Iacono sings, I listen. Jean-Francois Dagenais on guitar is not just impressive, his playing is beyond that. If Death Metal needed “that band” to bridge the gap between the meat & potatoes and the progressive, then KATAKLYSM is that band. “Heaven’s Venom” is more than just another excellent Melodic Death Metal album, it is a collective “sound” and “vibe” that makes me realize that maybe “extreme” should be replaced with “pristine” when describing these ten songs.
On December 2, 2010, I posted a review on Heaven’s Venom, giving more Metal details as to why KATAKLYSM is sitting atop my tier of Metal legendary bands. Clicking the link above will take you there!
The “Classic” Krokus lineup returned in 2010 to bring their Hard Rockin’ brand back… to kick our asses! Metal be thy name, Krokus DID kick my ass with “Hoodoo” and all I can say is: “thank you sirs, may I have more?” A (gasp) fun album is “Hoodoo”, that gives a wink and a smile to the gloriously loud and colorful 80’s decade of Arena Rock and good times thrills. If the songs “Too Hot” and “Hoodoo Woman” doesn’t get your Hard Rock adrenaline flowing, then maybe you should consider living as a hermit in the forests of Maine.
On April 27, 2010, I reviewed Hoodoo and did not hold back my Hard Rockin’ affection for this timeless Hard Rockin’ band. Click on the link above to see it!
#8 JON OLIVA’S PAIN – FESTIVAL
Jon Oliva is a man of music. He proves this on “Festival”, by connecting the Rock ‘N’ Roll dots, Jon Oliva has his Classic Rock influences of the Beatles and The Electric Light Orchestra coexisting with the Savatage blood that flows through his ultra-talented veins. Is “Festival” a Heavy Metal album? On the surface it is… only once you really listen to this album a few dozen times, you might very well agree with me that “Festival” is a celebration of Jon Oliva’s musical career. The dark themes and nightmarish lyrics behold a realism that I find stunning, making me hope and pray that Jon Oliva and his band will create a “Festival”… part 2.
On April 15, 2010, my review for “Festival” was posted on Hard Rock Hideout. Click on the link above to read all about it!
#7 THE NEW CZARS – DOOMSDAY REVOLUTION
What Greg Hampton (founding member, lead guitarist & vocalist) created with his band The New Czars, is one of the finest blends of Rock Music styles my ears have heard in years. “Doomsday Revolution” takes a Modern Hard Rock lead, with Industrial and Funk experimentation weaved within it’s lustrous interior. Greg Hampton might very well be the “missing link” within a generation of Rock vocal legends such as Glenn Hughes, Ian Gillan, David Coverdale and yes… Robert Plant. If that sounds too good to be true, then get yourself a copy of “Doomsday Revolution” and thank Stone for serving you right.
Back on September 8, 2010, I posted a detailed album review for Doomsday Revolution. You can click the link above if you want to read all about it!
#6 AVENGED SEVENFOLD – NIGHTMARE
“Nightmare” is the fifth studio album from A7X and very well should be anointed as their very best. Powerful, angry and raging is “God Hates Us”, while the album opener “Nightmare” speeds on with it’s relentless up-tempo that makes me feel like I belong in the pit, carrying on like a psyched-out Metalhead from 1989. Seriously, what A7X has accomplished with “Nightmare” is nothing short of a Metal miracle, with having to cope with the loss of Jimmy “The Reverend” Sullivan. I won’t hold back calling this “Nightmare” album the “Back In Black” or “Black Album” of A7X’s catalog.
On November 9, 2010, my review for “Nightmare” was posted on Hard Rock Hideout. Check it out by clicking the link below!
What’s this? A Hard Rock three piece? A Modern Hard Rock three piece? Can these guys play? Who invited them to the party? Stone will tell you right now… KOPEK is a three piece, they are a Hard Rock band and they bought the copyright for the word relevance. By the way, KOPEK will be invited to the party and they are bringing with them a case of Hard Rock whoop ass that will have you begging “them” for more. Guitarist and vocalist Daniel Jordan brings that “it” factor to the Hard Rock table, “it” being his charisma that resonates from each and every song I hear on “White Collar Lies”. Drummer Shane Cooney and bassist Brad Kinsella round out this Hard Rockin’ trio from Dublin, Ireland, making them a band I recommend to every breathing human being on Earth.
On June 28, 2010, I presented to the world, an album review for White Collar Lies. If you want to know more about this KOPEK album that you should really buy, then click the link above… it will serve you right!
This new DANZIG album could have easily been titled: “How Glenn Danzig Got His Groove Back”. “Deth Red Sabaoth” is a return to dark form for Glenn, with each song carrying it’s worthy weight of thump and stump heaviness. Dare I say once again… Old School? These flashbacks to the Heavy Metal glory years never hurt any band and DANZIG churns out the songs that I want to hear on a long, lost, dark nights cruise through the remote countryside. “Black Candy”, Deth Red Moon” and “Ju Ju Bone” are the three songs that stand-out among, well, 11 stand-out songs. Each time I listen to “Deth Red Sabaoth” I realize wholly, that Glenn Danzig is back… and that makes Stone feel very Metal comfy.
On July 22, 2010, my review for “Deth Red Sabaoth” was posted on Hard Rock Hideout. Check it out for yourself by clicking the link above!
#3 ACCEPT – BLOOD OF THE NATIONS
An Udo-less Accept is hard to “accept”… unless you listen to “Blood Of The Nations”. Mark Tornillo made me a believer from the first note he bellows on “Beat The Bastards”, while not being an Udo clone, Mark just accomplished what always came natural to him… that’s to sing like an Old School Metal warrior! With a near perfect version of the original Accept lineup grinding out 14 songs, at the culmination of my first listen to this album I wanted MORE! This is an Accept album that solidifies this band’s Heavy Metal importance and existence of both past and present. “Blood Of The Nations” also reminds all of us aging Metalheads, that Old School Heavy Metal dreams really do come true.
On September 14, 2010, I posted a very psyched-out review for this Blood Of The Nations album. Check it out if you like, by clicking the link above!
#2 (Tie) EXODUS – EXHIBIT B: THE HUMAN CONDITION
Why have I made it a “tie” between EXODUS – Exhibit B: The Human Condition and OVERKILL –Ironbound? The answer is simple… Thrash Metal albums, from these two ultra-legends, sounding this damn outstanding, has fortunately collided with an uncanny equality. Choosing between these two albums as which is best, is liking choosing between two iced mugs of Blue Moon Ale. Pick ’em. Founding members Gary Holt (guitar) and Tom Hunting (drums) are the Metal backbone to Exodus being not just pioneers of Thrash Metal, Exodus is one of this genre’s true leaders in 2010. This album is as brutal as any that Exodus has released… and these guys sound tighter than ever!
#2 (Tie) OVERKILL – IRONBOUND
As with Exodus, Overkill are pioneers of the Thrash Metal movement that has seen a resurgence of popularity that reminds me of the 80’s. “Ironbound” is full-blown and in-your-face Thrash Metal that glistens with Old School hunger and never relents with it’s crushing and force driven songs. Founding members Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth (vocals) and D.D. Verni (bass) are living proof that they can create and play Thrash Metal for 30 years and counting, with different lineups, while never losing a touch of relevance. After three decades of albums, Overkill quite possibly made their verybest with “Ironbound.”
On March 8, 2010, I reviewed “Ironbound” on Hard Rock Hideout. Click the header link above read the complete details!
#1 SCORPIONS – STING IN THE TAIL
“Sting In The Tail” radiates every quality that I yearn for in choosing a #1 album: heaviness, hardness, melodic, memorable, emotional and Old School… all wrapped up into one celebratory goodbye after spanning nearly five decades of existence. This album dominated my Metal soul like none other in 2010, even the ballads “The Good Die Young” and “The Best Is Yet To Come” made an instant impact on me… and I never wave the flag for ballads that often. Klaus Meine sounds as incredible as ever on vocals, while this entire band plays with the fire of twenty year olds. “Sting In The Tail” was not a return to the glory days of 80’s Heavy Metal, instead, this album showcases just how electrifying the Scorpions still are after so many decades. The Scorpions go out proving to me, they never lost their edge. There will never be another band like the Scorpions.
Back on April 3, 2010, I posted a detailed album review on Sting In The Tail. Click the large header below, to read about how much I really dig this Scorpions album!
SCORPIONS – “STING IN THE TAIL” DELIVERS THE ANTIDOTE OF HEAVY METAL EUPHORIA!
LONG LIVE METAL.
THANK YOU SCORPIONS.
LONG LIVE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL.
Stone.
0 Live Video – Scorpions – Blackout
When summing up the rest of the Cincinnati Bengals 2010 season, “Blackout” seems pretty appropriate. Most storied NFL franchises have a long history of winning. In Cincinnati, the Bengals might put together one winning season per decade. The fans are tired of the poor play on the football field and spoke loudly this week with their pocketbook. Many did not attend the Bengals – Bills game this afternoon. It was the first time in over seven years that a Bengals game did not sell out. The end result was a TV “Blackout”. The game could not be viewed within a 75 mile radius of Cincinnati.
I was thankful that I didn’t watch the Bengals get beat 1-7 (now 2 -8) Bills. I have a feeling that “Blackout” is something that Bengals fans are going to hear a lot for the three remaining home games in 2010 and beyond. Perhaps it is time for the Bengals to change their customary “Welcome the Jungle” theme song from Guns N’ Roses, to the Scorpions “Blackout”. It would certainly be more appropriate.
The clip below is the Scorpions performing “Blackout” live in Japan in 1984. A cool song like this would sound great in an NFL stadium wouldn’t it?!
2 Scorpions “Sting In The Tail” Premium Edition Coming November 2nd!
The Scorpions are releasing a new Premium edition of Sting in The Tail on November 2nd. The new Edition includes songs not found on the U.S. Edition including “Let’s Rock”, “Dreamers”, “Too Far”, “Miracle”, “Thunder & Lightning” and a Bonus DVD with additional content.
Sting in the Tail Premium Edition [CD+DVD]
- Raised On Rock
- Sting In The Tail
- Slave Me
- The Good Die Young
- No Limit
- Rock Zone
- Lorelei
- Turn You On
- Let’s Rock
- SLY
- Spirit Of Rock
- The Best Is Yet To Come
- Dreamers
- Too Far
- Miracle – (Regular Version)
- The Good Die Young – (New Version)
- Thunder And Lightning
Bonus DVD
- Sting In The Tail – (Live Video San Antonio)
- The Best Is Yet To Come – (Live Video Prague)
- Sting In The Tail – Videomessage – EPK
You can pre-order the Sting In the Tail Premium Edition at this link.
3 Scorpions at the M3 Rock Festival
Early in the day at the M3 Festival, Eddie Trunk broke the news on Twitter that Klaus Meine from the Scorpions was sick, but would perform. I didn’t quite know what to expect at this point, but was a little disappointed that my first (and possibly last) Scorpions show would not have the band at 100%. The show started out with an extended instrumental only version of the Scorpions song “New Generation” from the Unbreakable album.. I don’t know if it was a miscue or what, but they played the song for about five minutes with the stage lights on, and no vocals. It was just weird. I didn’t know what the hell was going on.
The Scorpions obviously had the best stage show. The video screen behind the stage was pretty awesome, and James Kottak’s drum kit was on a rising platform, that was raised over ten feet in the air with chains that were mounted to the floor of the drum riser. It was a pretty cool site. I really got a kick out of watching the band play. Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs were much more animated than I expected them to be. One upon a time, I heard Rudoph Schenker was kind of a shy guy. You would never know it from his stage performance. He was incredible!
Luckily, the Scorpions got their act together and played a blazing set of their classic tunes, including “Blackout”, “The Zoo”, “Rock Me Like a Hurricane”, “Big City Nights”, “Holiday”, “Bad Boys Running Wild”, “Winds of Change”,”Coast to Coast” “Tease Me Please Me” and “Another Piece of Meat” in which the band brought out Vince Neil on vocals to give Klaus a hand. My first thought was, “Oh Great, Here is ANOTHER song that Vince can forget the lyrics too”. Luckily Klaus did most of the singing. Quite honestly, I thought the Scorpions sounded incredible, even though Klaus was not singing up to his normal level. I could tell that he was definitely holding back somewhat, and struggling a little bit, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the show. A dumbass fan in the front row was giving a Klaus a hard time, and telling him to sing louder. Klaus seemed a little pissed and explained to all of the fans that he was sick, and his voice was shot. He encouraged everyone to sing a long. He was truly doing the best he could. Lets face it , the band could have easily canceled this show, but decided not to. I thought it was cool for them to carry on with the show. I would have been greatly disappointed if they didn’t play. I can’t believe a stupid fan would disrespect the band, and Klaus in this way. I don’t know if it was the extreme heat at M3, or what, but the dumb ass fans seemed to be in abundance in the pit. The front row heckler was not the only knucklehead. A guy in the fourth row, who was easily over 6 foot tall decided to stand on his chair and block our view. Security took care of him after a few songs, but it wasn’t any where soon enough in my opinion. Seriously folks, if you are taller than a freakin’ beanstalk, do you really need to stand on a chair and block other fan’s views?
Aside from the boneheads at the show, I really did enjoy the Scorpions quite a bit. The band performed a few of their new tunes including “Raised on Rock”, “Sting in the Tail” and “The Best Is Yet to Come”. I love their new album, Sting in the Tail, but I probably would have traded one of these songs for “Still Loving You”, but what are you going to do. I enjoyed the Scorpions farewell tour at M3, and I hope and pray that they play near me one more time, before they call it a day. They will be greatly missed when they retire. The Scorpions closed out M3 in fine fashion. I can’t wait until the next festival in 2011!
Check out the pictures and clips of the show below!
1 M3 Festival is Today!
Today is the M3 Festival!! Bang Tango, ZO2, Jetboy, Kix, Winger, L.A. Guns, Nelson, Warrant, Trixter, Vince Neil, Cinderella and Scorpions. While I am excited about this show, I have been looking more forward to seeing the Scorpions play live. With this show being part of their farewell tour, it makes their appearance at M3 extra special to me. We will be tweeting from the show today at www.twitter.com/hardrockhideout
Check out the clips from the Scorpions below!
4 Scorpions – Lonesome Crow (1972)
Chances are you have heard the final studio album, Sting in the Tail from the Scorpions by now. Have you ever listened to the Scorpions first studio album? The Scorpions debut Lonesome Crow was released 38 years ago in 1972 (gasp!). This album has a sound deeply seated in the seventies, and probably has more in common with bands like Iron Butterfly, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix & Cream. The music is early progressive rock, and is unlike anything else you will hear in the Scorpions’ discography. Even as a teenager, Michael Schenker proved to have some incredible guitar skills, although you have NEVER heard him play like this. Klaus Meine’s voice wasn’t as much in the forefront of the music as it is today, but when he does cut loose, you can almost sense a level of greatness within him. I can’t imagine what the folks who heard this first time in the seventies thought, but this is some trippy, psychedelic music that must be fully listened to, to be appreciated.
If you are the type of person that needs big sing-a-long hits, Lonesome Crow will not be an album for you. There aren’t any songs on this CD that would translate over to radio play very well. This CD does however showcase the raw early talent of this amazing band that so many of us have come to love over the years. Playing Lonesome Crow in 2010 will take you back to an era when rock was still primal, strange and unpolished. It is a radical beginning for the Scorpions, and is an album that requires multiple listens before you can fully grasp what you are hearing. Lonesome Crow is a mind-bending masterpiece that ought to be essential to all Michael Schenker fans, and Scorpions die-hards.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- I’m Going Mad
- It All Depends
- Leave Me
- In Search of the Peace of Mind
- Inheritance
- Action
- Lonesome Crow
Scorpions are:
Klaus Meine – Vocals
Michael Schenker – GLead Guitar
Rudolf Schenker – Guitar
Wolfgang – Dziony – Drums
Lothar Heimberg – Bass Guitar
4 Scorpions – Sting In The Tail (2010)
2010 marks the end of a long and awesome career for the Scorpions. The band is preparing a multi-year farewell tour, and has returned with the seventeenth and final studio album of their long and storied career. The Scorpions has been saying for months that Sting in The Tail is a return to their classic sound, and I would have to agree. 2010 has been another great year for hard rock, and even with some stout competition Sting in The Tail is going to find its way on a lot of top ten lists at the end of the year.
Klaus Meine sings his ass of on this CD, and still sounds amazing. Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs cut loose often, and dish out some tasty guitar riffs that classic Scorpions fans are sure to love.
If you have listened to Hard Rock Hideout radio over the last few weeks, you have heard the first single “Raised on Rock”. This song is so good, it has made me anticipate the release of Sting In The Tail even more.
In my opinion, the title track “Sting In The Tail” is one of the weaker cuts on this album. The music is good, and this song does a good job at keeping the pace going, but there is something odd about it that I can’t put my finger on.
“Slave Me” on the other hand, is damn near perfect. I love this tune.
“The Good Die Young” features a duet with former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen. If this song doesn’t get tons of radio play for the Scorpions, there is something seriously with a whole lot of DJ’s out there. This song is awesome!
James Kottak dishes out some killer drum work on the rocker “No Limit”. Klaus Meine pulls off some screams that I didn’t think he had left in him. This song gets better every time I listen to it.
If “Rockzone” doesn’t have you throwing your metal horns in the air, nothing will. This is one of the heavier songs that the Scorpions have done in quite some time. “Rockzone” flat out rocks! I love this!!!
If I would have changed anything on this CD, I would have added one more rocker to the mix. Three ballads are a bit much, even if they are quite good.
Did the Scorpions save their best release for their last one? Absolutely not. Sting in the Tail is however a damn fine release, and one of the stronger efforts by the Scorpions. If Sting in The Tail is truly the Swan Song for the Scorpions, then the band can retire knowing they gave their best effort for their final disc. That is all this fan can ask! While I am sad to see the Scorpions retire, I am going to enjoy Sting In The Tail for many years to come.
You can grab a copy of Sting In The Tail for only $7.99 this week at this link!! Don’t miss this!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Raised On Rock
2. Sting In the Tail
3. Slave Me
4. The Good Die Young
5. No Limit
6. Rockzone
7. Lorelei
8. Turn You On
9. Sly
10. The Spirit of Rock
11. The Best is Yet To Come
The Scorpions are:
Klaus Meine – Lead vocals
Matthias Jabs – Lead guitar, Backing vocals
Rudolf Schenker – Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
Paweł Mąciwoda – Bass, Backing vocals
James Kottak – Drums, Percussion
1 Get USA Scorpions Tickets Early With Album Preorder + Bonus Track
This offer is exclusive to the US!
This is the Scorpions’ farewell tour – see them in all their high-decibel, hard-rocking glory one last time!
Preorder the new and final album Sting in the Tail on iTunes to get first dibs on tickets for the US portion of their epic Get Your Sting and Blackout World Tour. Plus score the exclusive bonus track “Let’s Rock.” This is an iTunes exclusive offer; the album release is March 23rd.
Scorpions are saying goodbye after this final album and outing. They rocked the metal world for 40 years and sold more than 100 million records, but nowhere are they more aggressively ear-blitzing than on the stadium stage, still playing to head-banging sold-out crowds around the world.
Preorder your album from March 16 until March 22 at 11:59 PM on iTunes to get a unique password to purchase Scorpions tickets before they go on sale to the general public!
The first ticket presale will take place on Ticketmaster.com from April 7 at 10 AM through April 9 at 10 PM (local venue time) for these shows:
June 18 – Holmdel, NJ at PNC Bank Arts Cente
June 22 –Wantagh, NY at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
This offer ends March 22nd!
3 “Get your Sting and Blackout” Scorpions World Tour 2010!
From Scorpions.com:
The Scorpions will be launching their spectacular world tour with seven concerts in Germany. Tickets are on sale now.
2009 was the year of the Scorpions: they received the German lifetime achievement ECHO, collected many other awards, and undertook a grand tour through Russia, the U.S. and Europe. However, it is 2010 that will set a milestone for the career of the most successful international rock band from Germany. The Scorpions will be touring the world for the next 2 years and performing in the largest venues and stadiums that cross their path. The mammoth tour will be launched for the first time in many years in Germany. “It was important for us to give our fans a chance to celebrate a never-to-forget party with us”, said band founder Rudolf Schenker. Klaus Meine stated, “2010 is going to be a very special year for the Scorpions, so it is an especially good feeling to be able to start this tour at home”.
To top it all off, the Scorpions are planning on releasing a sensational statement this January at a press conference.
The performances in Germany will be followed by concerts in the U.S., South America, Asia, Russia and various countries in Europe. Matthias Jabs remarked about the tour, “we are very excited to be touring the globe for the next two years. The Scorpions want to rock the world once again!”
Momentarily, the band is in the recording studio working on their upcoming album “Sting in the Tail” that will also be released in 2010. The brand new DVD “Amazonia” – a live recording of the Scorpions concerts in Manaus and Recife, Brazil – is in stores now.
Dates in Germany:
* 07. May 2010 Leipzig, Arena
* 08. May 2010 München, Olympiahalle
* 12. May 2010 Frankfurt, Festhalle
* 14. May 2010 Stuttgart, Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
* 29. May 2010 Berlin, O2 World
* 30. May 2010 Zwickau, Stadthalle
* 01. June 2010 Hannover, TUI Arena
Tickets are available at all noted ticket stands. You may also call the ticket hotline: *49 1805 570099 (14 cents a minute, Mobile phone prices may vary) or visit the website http://www.semmel.de.
Tour host Semmel Concerts GmbH
0 DORO: MORE SPECIAL GUESTS ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW!!!
On December 13th the ground in Düsseldorf´s ISS Dome will shake… Metal Queen DORO celebrates her 25th anniversary! The already strong billing is how enhanced by more high class special guests: members of the SCORPIONS (Germany´s most successful Rock band) will appear on stage! Just another good reason to salute to the Metal Queen and visit her huge anniversary show…
And while the new single “Herzblut” will be released very soon (December 12th), DORO´s “Celebrate” single climbs again to #5 in the Spanish charts (peak #3)!
DORO´s new studio album “Fear No Evil” will be released on January 23rd , 2009!
0 Now Available From Rockline
If you missed the recent interviews on Rockline from Candlebox, The Scorpions, Trapt or Judas Priest, you can listen to the archive interviews at the link below.
0 The Scorpions on Rockline Tonight!
Scorpions are hard to catch. No, we’re not talking about the scary little creature with the venomous tail, but the Rock and Roll band from Germany. We’ve been trying to have the band return for a visit to ROCKLINE since last year when they released “Humanity: Hour 1”. The problem is Scorpions are the literal definition of a working band. They’re always on the road and quite often that road is overseas. In fact, we are able to have them finally join us again only two days before they begin the tiniest of US tours, seven dates on the West Coast and in the Midwest. We are catching them a few days after playing in Finland and just before this mini-tour of selected American cities. Always fan-aware and interactive, the band is allowing US fans to vote on the set list for this tour at their official website the-Scorpions.com That kind of approachability coupled with the fact that they are one of the greatest live bands in Rock history has helped keep the odyssey alive since the 1970’s. With a huge catalog of sixteen studio albums of all new material from 1972 forward, Scorpions have a gigantic list of songs from which one can choose. There are certain songs that will always be a part of a set by Scorpions. Can you imagine seeing them perform live and not hearing “Like a Hurricane”? It’s just not going to happen. But you can have a say in choosing some of the other songs that aren’t always included in their live set whether your taste runs to “Lovedrive” or Lovin’ You Sunday Morning”.
In addition to the classic repertoire the band boasts, there is their outstanding album of entirely new songs. “Humanity: Hour 1”, the excellent new CD was co-produced by songwriter/producer Desmond Child and songwriter/producer James Michael, noted for his work with Motley Crue and now the front man for the Nikki Sixx side project Sixx AM. The result is classic Scorpions, biting social commentary and hook laden songs that rock but are smooth as silk as well. As radio tends to be somewhat conservative these days, ROCKLINE serves a valuable purpose as we love to jump into an album and go deeper than a song or two and provide a taste of what an album is really all about. The old Album Oriented Rock format survives. And there’s no disappointment with “Humanity”. Fresh and vital, the songs have that patented Scorpions sound. If you haven’t had a chance to hear “Humanity”, we will be more than happy to provide the opportunity for you. Plus, we’ll open up the phone lines and let you connect with Germany’s best export and get the inside story as they continue their extensive world tour.
It has been awhile. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to catch Scorpions on our next ROCKLINE! Tonight from 8:30 – 10:30 P.M. Check this link for your local station’s schedule.
6 2008 New Rock Releases and Reissues (Updated)
I started compiling the following list of New releases for 2008. This may not be a complete list, but so much great new music has arrived in 2008, so far, I though it would be a good idea to keep a running tab of what has come out, and what is on the way. The releases through August have been confirmed. Releases with a question mark have not been confirmed yet. This list will be updated as more news arrives.
Updated July 9, 2008
January
Drive By Truckers – Brigher Than Creation’s Dark
Airbourne – Running Wild (U.S. Release)
Bullet For My Valentine – Scream Aim Fire
Gamma Ray – Land of the Free, Part 2
Ayreon – 01011001
American Speedway – Ship of Fools
Lillian Axe – Love and War (Reissue)
Lillian Axe – S/T (Reissue)
Sleeze Beez – Screwed Blued & Tattooed (Reissue)
Sleeze Beez – Powertool (Reissue)
Stonerider – Three Legs of Trouble
Thieves & Liars – When Dreams Become Reality
Tiles – Fly Paper
Saint Daemon – In Shadows Lost From the Brave
Pagan’s Mind – God’s Equation
February
DVD – Iron Maiden – Live After Death
DVD – Scorpions – Live at Wacken Open Air 2006
DVD – Overkill – Live at Wacken Open Air 2007
DVD – Thin Lizzy – Live and Dangerous
Three – End is Begun
Pillar – For the Love of the Game
Avantasia – The Scarecrow
UFO – Phenomenon (Reissue)
UFO – No Heavy Pettin (Reissue)
UFO – Force It (Reissue)
Type O Negative – Dead Again (Red Version)
Hurricane – Over the Edge (Reissue)
Hurricane – Take What You Want (Reissue)
Hurricane – Slave To the Thrill (Reissue)
Hericane Alice – Tear the House Down (Reissue)
Baton Rouge – Shake Your Soul (Reissue)
Baton Rouge – Lights Out on The Playground (Reissue)
Wrathchild America – Climbing the Walls (Reissue)
Tangier – Four Winds (Reissue)
Tangier – Stranded (Reissue)
Danko Jones – Never Too Loud
King’s Call – No Alibi
March
Benedictum – Seasons of Tragedy
Inflikted – Cavalera Conspiracy
Saving Abel – S/T
Steve Stevens – Memory Crash
Firewind – The Premonition
DVD – Zebra
King Kobra – Ready to Strike (Reissue)
King Kobra – Thrill of a Lifetime (Reissue)
Icon – Right Between the Eyes (Reissue)
Black Tide – Light From Above
House of Lords – Come To My Kingdom
Warrior – Fighting For The Earth (Reissue)
Shannon – Angel in Disguise
Whitecross – 1987
Black Crowes – Warpaint
Diamond Head – Borrowed Time (Reissue)
Diamond Head – Canterbury (Reissue)
April
Fatal Smile – World Domination
Saints of the Underground – Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner
Theory of a Deadman – Scars & Souvenirs
Whitesnake – Good To Be Bad
Dominici – 03 A Trilogy Part 3
Asia – Phoenix
Testament – The Formation of Damnation
The Sword – Gods of The Earth
Dream Theater – Greatest Hit (And 21 other pretty cool songs)
P.O.D. – When Angels and Serpents Dance
Sevendust – Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow
In Flames – Sense of Purpose
Kamelot – Ghost Opera: The Second Coming
Ministry – Cover Up
DVD – Axel Rudi Pell – Live Over Europe
Keel – Lay Down the Law (Reissue)
White Lion – Return of the Pride
Circle II Circle – Delusions of Grandeur
Crimson Glory – S/T (Reissue)
Crimson Glory – Transcendence (Reissue)
Tantric – The End Begins
Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I – IV
May
Iron Maiden – Somewhere Back In Time: The Best Of 1980-1989
MSG – In the Midst of Beauty
3 Doors Down – S/T
Bombay Black – Psycho Magnet
Def Leppard – Songs From The Sparkle Lounge
Kip Winger – From the Moon To the Sun
Eden – Oblivion
King’s X – XV
M.ILL.ION – Thrill Of The Chase
Dokken – Lightning Strikes Again
10 Years – Division
Jon Oliva’s Pain – Global Warning
Flotsam and Jetsam – Cuatro (Reissue)
Gun Barrel – Outlaw invasion
Brother Firetribe – Heart Full of Fire
Circle II Circle – Delusions of Grandeur
Southern Gentleman – Valley of Fire
10 Years – Division
Glenn Hughes – First Underground Nuclear Kitchen
Souls of We – Let The Truth Be Known (Featuring George Lynch and London LeGrand)
June
Disturbed – Indestructible
Bret Michaels – Rock My World
Man Raze – Surreal
Motley Crue – Saints of Los Angeles
Judas Priest – Nostradamus (2 CD Set)
JORN – Lonely Are the Brave
Flotsam & Jetsam – When The Storm Comes Down (Reissue)
Clusterhead – Times of No Trust
Shinedown – The Sound of Madness
Harem Scarem – Hope
Valient Thorr – Immortalizer
July
The Dogs Divine – Way of Life
Stephen Pearcy – Under My Skin
Tesla – Comin Atcha Live – DVD
Hydrogyn – Deadly Passions
Gypsy Rose – S/T (Featuring David Reece)
Harem Scarem – Hope
Ritchie Kotzen – Live in San Paolo
Silent Rage – Four Letter World
Night Ranger – Hole in the Sun
Jet Black Stare – In This Life
Jesse James Dupree and Dixie Inc – Rev It Up and Go Go
Alice Cooper – Along Came a Spider
Black Sabbath – The Rules of Hell CD Boxset
August
Black Stone Cherry – Folklore & Superstition
Slipknot – All Hope is Gone
Trapt – Only Through The Pain (Aug 5th)
The Showdown – Back Breaker
Dragonforce – Ultra Beatdown
Extreme – Saudades De Rock (Aug 15th)
Asphalt Valentine?
September
Tesla?
Papa Roach – Metamorphisis
Evergrey – Torn
Bullet – Bite the Bullet
Buckcherry – Black Butterfly
Metallica – Death Magnetic
Iced Earth – The Crucible Of Man (Something Wicked Part II)
October
Anthrax?
November
Starbreaker – Love’s Dying Wish
December
AC/DC?
Aerosmith?
5 Scorpions – Blackout (Release Year – 1982)
Before the Scorpions were Rocking You Like A Hurricane, they released this gem of a disc, back in 1982. Interestingly enough, Klaus Meine was undergoing surgery on his vocal chords at the time this album was written, and the original tracks were recorded with Don Dokken on vocals. Klaus Meine was able to recooperate in time to record the vocals for this disc, and the Dokken tapes never surfaced.
This Scorpions’ release has been one of my favorites for years. This disc hit # 10 on the Billboard chart, and spawned some of the Scorps’ biggest anthems, Blackout, Can’t Live Without You, No One Like You, and You Give Me All I Need. Blackout is also the Scorpions first platinum disc in the United States (over 1 million units sold).
Even the weaker tracks on this disc are solid. There are a few other great rockers worth
mentioning, including the killer track, Dynamite, the excellent upbeat tune Arizona, and the moody rocker China White.
I can’t imagine a fan of 80’s hard rock picking this disc up and being disappointed. This is definitely one of the best Scorpions discs out there, and you can get this one for less than $10.00 today. Blackout is a disc still worth picking up in 2007. Don’t miss out on this classic disc!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Blackout
2. Can’t Live Without You
3. No One Like You
4. You Give Me All I Need
5. Now!
6. Dynamite
7. Arizona
8. China White
9. When The Smoke Is Going Down
31 Scorpions – Humanity Hour 1 (Release Year – 2007)
The Scorpions return with a new disc that was Co-produced by James Michael and Veteran Songwriter Desmond Child.
Scorpions fans are going to be quite happy when they listen to Humanity Hour 1. The band resumes with their classic heavy sound, and this disc will kick your ass on the very first listen.
Klaus Meine’s voice still sounds amazing. He hasn’t lost a note. Rudy Schenker and Matthias Jabs are still one of the best guitar tandems in hard rock today. Their playing on this record is superb.
This disc starts firing on all cylinders immediately with this heavy track Hour 1. This track took me by surprise, and is an early favorite.
The Game of Life is a mid tempo semi heavy number. Its a good song track that wouldn’t have been out of place on Savage Amusement.
We Were Born to Fly is a low to mid tempo number that could be a potential hit for the Scorpions. It is melodic tune with heavy parts.
The Future Never Lies is a piano based ballad that almost has some Queen like elements. Its another solid tune on Humanity Hour 1.
After a couple of slower songs, the Scorpions crank it back up again with You’re Lovin’ Me To Death. This is another song with big radio potential.
321 has an ultra heavy bass riff, and is extremely catchy. This one is going to get a lot of airplay.
The pace slows back down with Love Will Keep Us Alive. Klaus Meine’s voice shines on this lighter track. This is a song that could actually get airplay on soft rock radio stations.
I find myself getting a little bored with Your Last Song. Its pure melodic AOR. There isn’t really anything wrong with the song, but I could have used something a little heavier at this spot in the record.
Love Is War is a low to mid tempo number, that I find to be just an average track. It never really delivers that punch that I am looking for. Not great, but far from bad.
We Will Rise Again is the track I was looking for. It has all of those heavy and melodic moments that I look for in a Scorpions song. Great Stuff!
The Cross features Klaus Meine and the vocals of Smashing Pumpkins, singer Billy Corgan. The guitar styling on this track almost sounds Nu-metal at times but then falls back into that great Scorpion style. Its a cool track.
I am sure you have heard the track Humanity a few times by now. Its a slower track, but its also a great tune, and a solid way to close out this disc. This is classic Scorpions at their best.
Humanity Hour 1 is another great disc by the Scorpions. If you enjoyed the last disc, Unbreakable, I am sure you will like this one too. U.S. hard rock fans can pick this up on May 25th everywhere.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Hour I
2. The Game of Life
3. We Were Born To Fly
4. Future Never Dies
5. You’re Lovin’ Me To Death
6. 321
7. Love Will Keep Us Alive
8. Your Last Song
9. Love Is War
10. We Will Rise Again
11. Cross
12. Humanity
