The Class of 82 - Scorpions : "Black Out"

How does the 8th album by the German rockers hold up 40 years later ? It opens with the title track which finds Kalus' voice surprisingly strong considering how he had to have surgery on his vocal cords during the writing process. This caused the band to bring in Don Dokken to demo the songs, but Klaus made a comeback and recorded them. Don's backing vocals stayed on the album. It's high energy, though by today's standards this might be more of a hard rock song, however, when it comes to 80s metal the question, I use is ...Is this at least comparable to what Judas Priest was doing at the time and the answer is yes. They are more radio friendly in the twin guitar chug of " I Can't Live Without You". While this is rock to me, for the 80s this is still in line with what Priest was doing, the more straight-ahead nature of this one, feels less inspired than the opener and more like they sat down and asked how they were going to afford the Limo. 

I am not opposed to radio friendly anthems from these guys as " No One Like You" is an incredibly well written song with infectious hook. It also has great guitar playing, that is melodic and shreds when called for.  Klaus' vocals knock it out of the park as well. When it comes to 80s rock singers of this genre, he is one of the most emotive. I put him neck and neck with Dio in this regard. There is more of a power ball feel to "You Give Me All I Need". Less of an arena rocker than the previous song which works off a similar formula it is still effective and more nuanced guitar work along with Klaus' vocals make it memorable. The guitar solo is extra tasty and shows how they stand apart from the other two be twin guitar attack bands of the day Maiden and Priest. "Now "is the album's most metal song so far, though the most like filler from a writing perspective as it is no frills fast paced chord progression.   

They keep the fact that at this point their high energy style makes them a metal band on "Dynamite", which plays to all the tropes they have made their thumb print when it comes to the more up-tempo style the pepper the album with. The guitars bring the fire for sure. "Arizona" rocks more like a hurricane. It is more deliberate in its pacing and has more groove which works better for me. Lyrically it's not the best they have done, but the bar is low for lyrics on this album. The best song on the album is "China White" which could also be numbered among the band's best songs ever. It has a Led Zepplin like swagger to its steamy groove.  They close the album with the moody power ballad "When the Smoke is Going Down". Klaus' vocals are more nuanced here and the higher notes hit with a great deal of clarity.  Not my favorite Scorpions album, but a really great one that captures them at the peak of their career.  I will round it up to a 10.   

Scorpions : " Rock Believer"

 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.   

Mix Tape Mania : Headbanger's Balls Edition

 

If you are a regular reader here , then know I have started back reviewing actual albums. I know I am doing a mix tape a day , I can not help myself at this point, it is harder to focus on blast beats and growling vocals when I am floating around with cotton candy biscuits in my head. But I have said it before and will say it again . This is my fucking blog so I write whatever the god damn hell I want, right not this is what I want, Feel lucky is this for someone and I am sharing it with you guys, not to diminish the importance of what I am sharing with the actual intended audience. On previous ones I have made play lists of  hair metal or emoish metal , but aside from Queensryche on the hair metal one not much in terms of actual metal, so I decided to throw some actual metal , perhaps not the heaviest by today's standards , but maybe we will get around to that, not sure I am really feeling songs about kissing your mother's decapitated head as my head in more along the lyrically lines of these songs today. I have not jerked off in two days so that might be feeding into this more cock rocking metal . 

WASP- "Fuck Like Beast"

   

 Iced Earth - "I Died For You"

   

 Diamond Head - "Sucking My Love"

   

 Kiss- " Keep Me Comin"

   

 Motley Crue - " Starry Eyes"

   

 Alice Cooper - " You're My Temptation"

   

 Judas Priest - "Eat Me Alive"

 

Scorpions - " Animal Magnetism"

   

 Black Sabbath- "Keep It Warm"

   

 Pantera : " Pussy Tight"