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The Scorpions - Return to Forever - Box set celebrating 50 years - 16 Track Album - Sony Music - Released 29th February 2015
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:
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)
