The Scorpions were one of the biggest heavy metal bands of their day. Once they tasted big chart-topping success with their 1984 album "Love at First Sting" they became more of a rock and roll band losing a great deal of their metallic edge. This album is big 80s flavored rock that finds the band with their boots firmly planted in where they came from. This is album the first album with Drummer Mikkey Dee who played with both King Diamond and Motorhead. On this album he is collecting a paycheck as he gets nowhere near as aggressive with his playing. One thing that is impressive and perhaps the album's strongest selling point is the youthful nature of Klaus' vocals. At age 73 he can still get up there. The song itself is very derivative of what they have already done in the past. This playing on nostalgia might be the best move for them after all have they done anything worthwhile in the studio since 1993?
Lyrically "Roots in My Boots" is pretty dumb, but the song is upbeat with an energy that sounds like they were no just dialing it in here. The guitar solos hold up against most metal playing. Sonically "Knock Em Dead " is more interesting riff wise. : Does it hold up against their best work, well no but it works for what it is. The title track manages to be true to who they are and still sound like some of the riffs are lifted from Joan Jett. Now the riff going into "Shining of Your Soul " sounds more like the Scorpions I want. I am not sure about what they do in the verse after. Overall I think it holds up better as a Scorpions song than the previous songs. "Seventh Sun" has a steamier sound to it's syncopation that reminds me of 'the Zoo". The riff opening "Hot and Cold" is the first hint of anything that could be described as metal . The chorus is where things get too happy for it's own good.
"When I Lay My Bones to Rest" is up tempo in a more Aerosmith direction, but it is also the first song that feels like filler and is not as inspired as what we have heard up to this point. "Peacemaker " has a more aggressive edge and a chorus that does not mess up the mood by trying too hard. They rock it out a little harder as it progresses. While "Call of the Wild" opens up and gives the vocals more room, I am surprised that they have not begun to pour on the power ballads by this point in time and laying on thicker grooves instead. This is one of the album's strongest songs. I spoke to soon as "When You Know" is a ballad. It works but it not one of the band's strongest. They get back on track with the harder rocking of " Shoot for Your Heart" which benefits from really well written vocal melodies. They maintain the momentum with the harder driven "When Tomorrow Comes" that points them in a direction closer to metal.
"Unleash the Beast" has a title that sounds like it should be heavier than it is. Another song that feels more like filler. There is a more rock swagger to the last song. It is middle for the road for these guys. I will give this album a 9 as it is a great deal stronger than expected and for the most part a happy surprise, I think they are giving fans what they want because god know trying to appeal to anyone under 40 is a lost cause.
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