Scorpions Sting In The Tail
by John Kindred
Staff Writer
Before the Scorpions became an arena rock band of the ’80s, they forged their existence during the ’70s. During that decade, the band launched the careers of both virtuoso guitarists Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth before settling on guitarist Matthias Jabs, who solidified the twin guitar attack of the band, alongside Rudolf Schenker. Their worldwide notoriety and popularity fueled their continued success and existence in the ’90s. Even with lineup changes over the course of four decades, the core nucleus of the band — Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs — has continued to write and create music, tour and record as the Scorpions.
On the heels of releasing their latest album, Sting in the Tail, the Scorpions have decided to make this album their swan song and after a three-year world tour, call it quits forever. Meine, Schenker and Jabs want to go out on top. They believe that the new album is their finest in years and don’t want to stain their reputation by not reaching this plateau again.
Is this a wise move? Probably. The band isn’t getting any younger, and after all these years, maybe it’s time for them to sit back and enjoy all their accomplishments (over 100 million albums sold world-wide). That leaves us with evaluating whether Sting in the Tail is an album showcasing the Scorpions at the top of their game.
Sting in the Tail follows up ’07’s Humanity Hour 1, and the new album is certainly has more in common with the band’s anthems of the ‘80s than the more experimental Humanity Hour 1.
The new album features 11 songs, from arena-style rockers to sophisticated ballads. Musically, the album recalls bits and pieces of the old-world Scorpions reshaped into contemporary reinvention of the group in today’s world. Their trademark lead guitar work, heavy-crunch-laden rhythm guitars and arena choruses bring you right back to an era when this genre of music ruled MTV and the airwaves.
Meine’s voice is as crisp and powerful as ever. As evident on “The Good Die Young,” in which he sings unconventionally in a lower register. He still can reach the upper levels of his range with relative ease. “Sting in the Tail” provides proof of this. Although not all metal heads’ favorite type of songs, the ballads are solid affairs. “Lorelei” takes a lot inspiration from “Wings of Change.” The song builds to powerful, expressive chorus. “Sly” lyrically plays out as what maybe a true story. This is true tear-jerker; Meine’s voice is really emotional here.
The Scorpions don’t just tap into their ‘80s roots but also reach back to the ‘70s for that lush lead guitar tone that is not drenched in distortion. But instead breathes with the power of the amp turned up to 11, while the fingers of Jabs make the guitar sing. Check out the solo on “Sting in the Tail” for a ‘70s inspire guitar solo. Within the powerful rhythm guitar work (“Slave Me,” “No Limit,” “Spirit of Rock”) of Schenker, lies the soul of the band. Both Meine and Jabs lend their melodies to the monster power chord arrangements laid down by Schenker.
Let’s not forget the work of the rhythm section, which comprises drummer James Kottak and bassist Pawel Maciwoda. Without them, the underlying sound bed of the musical arrangements would be lithe and lifeless.
Honestly, the band goes out on top, having released two of their best albums to date (Sting in the Tail and Humanity Hour 1) since ‘90s Crazy World. Sting in the Tail is an album that Scorpion fans expect from the band. And it will certainly make you wonder if there is potential for another album as good as this one waiting for the band to create and record. One can only guess, as we may never know.
Label: Universal Music
Website: www.the-scorpions.com
Band:
Klaus Meine – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Matthias Jabs – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Rudolf Schenker – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Paweł Mąciwoda – Bass, Backing Vocals
James Kottak – Drums, Percussion
Track Listing:
1. Raised On Rock
2. Sting in the Tail
3. Slave Me
4. The Good Die Young
5. No Limit
6. Rock Zone
7. Lorelei
8. Turn You On
9 SLY
10. Spirit of Rock
11. The Best Is Yet to Come
Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10
There is just no way that this deserves a 9. For reputation’s sake, and because it is a farewell album I can go up to 7. But just based on the music here alone 6.