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BY JASON PRICE
Veteran rockers the Scorpions have returned to the metal scene with a brand new concept album titled Humanity Hour 1. This time around, Klaus Meine and company have teamed with producers James Michael and veteran songwriter Desmond Child for the release of their 21st album. The concept gives us a glimpse into a future in which humanity battles for its survival against the machines of their own creation.
Serving a tour of more 30 years on the rock scene has not slowed the band down or hampered the Scorpions sound. Meine’s voice is still as powerful as it was on some the the band's classics and is a true high point of this album. With that being said and as any fan of this band's previous works knows, the power of the Scorpions never relies on the vocals alone. Rudy Schenker and Matthias Jabs prove they are still one of the best guitar duos in the genre and lend truly melodic guitar work to this release. Child proves to be a great edition to the mix. His skills in production and ability to add that certain indescribable element of magic to every song lifts the band to new heights of artistry.
Humanity Hour I is an album which takes the listener a journey comprising many musical twists and turns. Fans of the band will be happy to hear the album is not lacking the power and vocal styles the Scorpions have used to construct their amazing decades long career with. The album takes off with a blast of full-on rock with the first two tracks, “Hour I” and “The Game of Life.” These tracks remove all doubt that the band can deliver a modern sound. They are heavy and not what I was expecting when I hit play. The album then changes tempo and offers up more melodic tracks such as "We Were Born to Fly" and "The Future Never Lies" that bring to mind elements of Queen and beautifully showcase Meine’s vocal abilities. Another standout track is "The Cross." This track features vocals by Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins fame.
Nearly every track on this record hits the mark and shows a definite evolution of the Scorpion's sound. Humanity Hour Iremoves all doubt that the Scorpions still have many years of quality music ahead of them. Their sting is as strong as ever.
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