Scorpions
Return
to Forever
Box
Set Celebrating 50 years
16
Track Album
Sony
Music
Released
20th February 2015
Return to Forever - Explosive new album!
Scorpions – Hannover, Germany
Links:
http://www.the-scorpions.com/
Genre: Heavy Rock/Metal
Biography:
“Rudolf Schenker, the band's rhythm guitarist launched the band in
1965. At first, the band had beat influences and Schenker himself did the
vocals. Things began to come together in 1970 when Schenker's younger brother
Michael and vocalist Klaus Meine joined the band. In 1972 the group recorded
and released their debut album Lonesome Crow, with Lothar Heimberg on bass and
Wolfgang Dziony on drums. During the Lonesome Crow tour, Scorpions opened for
upcoming British band UFO. Near the end of the tour, guitarist Michael Schenker
accepted an offer of lead guitar for UFO. Uli Roth, a friend of the Schenker brothers, was then called in to finish off the tour.
In October, 2014 Scorpions' leader Klaus Meine spoke to the band's
French fan-club Crazyscorps, and announced that the new record would be
published in February or March 2015, to coincide with the bands 50th
anniversary. Contrary to what the band said in 2013, the new record would
present not only newly recorded versions of never-published songs, but also new
material, written between 2011 and 2014. The album was recorded in Sweden, with
producers Martin Hansen and Mikael Nord Andersson. Drummer James Kottak, who
left the band in May 2014 for rehab, is playing drums on the new record!”
*****
For me, I was personally drawn to the band in 1976 after being given
a cassette Recorder for Christmas by my parents and was actually testing
it. I listened to a lot of rock radio
back then and some shows never introduced their records – it was just like one
continuous track. It annoyed me so much as there was a lot of tracks and I had
no idea who played them or what the tracks were called.
Then one afternoon I pressed the record button when this track
peaked my interest. It was poignant, meaningful and gave me the shivers, in a
good way of course.
I played this track constantly, over and over, not having any idea
of who was behind the music...
I finally found out 2 years later when I saw Tokyo Tapes in Penny
Lane Records – a double album for just 3.50! I had no idea who they were, but
loved the record cover.
Once I got home I slapped it on the record player with gusto and the
last track on side one – I found myself singing the words to this song “I wake
up in the morning and the sun begins to shine, the day did sneak up from the
night!” I grabbed the cover and realized it was “In Trance” by The Scorpions
and since that day forward I have been hooked and bought everything the band
have released to date.
I also taught myself German in the 1980’s and went to live in
Germany for a time and had the chance to meet the band with the old line-up
back in 1982, (at the end of 82 I met Michael Schenker as well and got the
chance to speak some German to him – and what’s more is he even understood me!)
since then nothing has changed! I still adore The Scorpions – and probably always will even after they retire,
which hopefully won’t be for a long time to come!
Listen here to the full album
Going out with a Bang
A real bluesy, rock n roll track kicks off this bonanza of fresh
Scorpions material. It is an anthem and a half, with a good driving beat and
superb delivery. The Scorpions have officially un-retired!
We built this house
This is the track the band have released as a single. It’s a poetic
and passionate track that holds a ‘close your eyes’ moment! Reaching great
heights with this one and no rough edges, it is dynamic on all levels.
Rock my Car
Whoaaaaaaaaaaaa, whoaaaaaaaaaaaaa, this will eat you alive when you
hear it! It isn’t without its bit of ‘cheese’ but it is a great rock track that
soars and smashes its target! This will be amazing live as the crowd can join
in to this one!
House of Cards
This sees the band slow things down after the previous rambunctious
track. The words are poignant and beautiful. Klaus’s voice does ballads so
well, and takes you on a journey into amazing landscapes that paint even more
vivid pictures. Its soft haunting rhythms are vibrant and breath-taking.
All for One
Shows depth and quality that brings the band together musically just
as the Musketeers were brought together in battle! It is a thunderous
production that will have the blood surging quickly through the veins.
Rock n Roll Band
This is a bit of a ‘smash and grab’ moment! Again another raunchy
turbulent track that delivers! Everyone who has ever been in or is in a band
will be able to relate to this superb track and no doubt it will provide
positive responses and ripples in the music industry.
Catch your luck and play
A very distinct track that shows the heavier side to the Scorpions
with surging guitar and solid beats. It is a real rhythm attack with quality
backing vocals that bring together great emotion.
Rollin’ Home
Tremendous drumming starts this track along with a solid bass hook.
It encapsulates the bands ‘magic’ and is heartfelt through-out. The hooks and
melodies are just rife with emotion!
Hard rockin’ the place
Strikingly raw as it prowls in predatory mode. The expressive notes
melt into a fury of chugging riffs and seamlessly flow like molten lava from a
very active volcano.
Eye of the Storm
This track broods with sultry strings and is beautifully created with
vocals that outline the bands softer side.
The insatiable and contagious rhythms reveal the mellow moments that
wrap you into its embracing heart.
The Scratch
A rock n roll track with attitude! You can hear the blues as the
track explodes into a rapturous frenzy! Hard to ignore this one as it ducks and
dives and creates a smouldering and intense feeling that you can’t stop moving
to! This will itch the scratch perfectly with its cheeky ending!
Gypsy Life
This has a primal essence of early Scorpions. The words are
uplifting although sad in content. It’s a very persuasive track that will have
the listener spellbound.
The world we used to
know
A potent and finely crafted ballad with solid rhythm that holds a certain
presence. Again the backing vocals add an easy depth to the track although this
is probably one of the weaker tracks on the album.
Dancing with the
Moonlight
Not to be confused with ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ that was Lizzy! This
is an electric track that kicks ass and holds plenty of bite! Another rousing
offering that engages with a bruising passion. The guitars are just overwhelming!
When the truth is a lie
This has a bit of a Southern American twang to it. It is another ‘large
as life’ track that mesmerises as it delves into its attack – the vocal
insurgence keeps it tempered and rooted although the overall track itself is
intense and punishing.
Who we are
A very creative and beautiful track to finish on. It creates
imagination and is deftly carved from stirring ambient guitars and soft vocal
tones. The melodies flow freely and with an intense emotion.
Summary:
There is an awful lot in this black box from a signed picture card,
photo/lanyard, 16 track CD - Return to Forever, Audio Book in English and
German plus vinyl single ‘We built this house’ an advertisement of the forthcoming
film Forever and a Day, plus T Shirt!
What a way to celebrate 50 years from a well-known, loved and
distinguished band.
It troubled me somewhat when the band announced their plans to
retire – I never expected there to be a box set with all these goodies inside
it, and apparently neither did The
Scorpions themselves. So it was great to see the band back to what they do
best!
The Scorpions are
a household name, let’s face it! How could they not be after 50 years? The band
never seems to falter and time and time again they produce really interesting
tracks that whet the appetite for more of the same.
They have come through some turbulent times but still remain a solid
unit and that takes some doing.
This album reflects their lives perfectly! It can transport you back
to the past in an instant and bring you back into the 21st Century with
just a tempo change alone.
This is just a superb bundle to own and fitting tribute to a band
that have given their lives to music.
I just don’t know what it is about The Scorpions - but one thing is
for sure they certainly haven’t lost their sting in 50 years!
9½/10
Track List:
Going
out with a Bang
We
built this house
Rock
my Car
House
of Cards
All
for One
Rock
n Roll Band
Catch
your luck and play
Rollin’
Home
Hard
rockin’ the place
Eye
of the Storm
The
Scratch
Gypsy
Life
Bonus Tracks:
The
world we used to know
Dancing
with the Moonlight
When
the truth is a lie
Who
we are
Members:
Rudolf
Schenker — Rhythm/Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals (1965–present)
Klaus
Meine — Lead Vocals/Guitars/Tambourine (1969–present)
Matthias
Jabs — Lead/Rhythm Guitars/Backing Vocals (1978–present)
James
Kottak — Drums/Backing Vocals (1996–present)
Paweł
Mąciwoda — Bass/Backing Vocals (2004–present)
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