Scorpions/ Rock Believer

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Scorpions/ Rock Believer 

Genre: Hard rock/ metal

Label: Scorpions, licensed to Universal Music

Rating: **** 1/2

One can recognise a Scorpions song from a distance of miles. Vocalist Klaus Meine has one of the most distinct and identifiable voices in rock history, and fellow German Rudolf Schenker's rhythm guitar falls in a brand of its own. Now 73, both these musicians display top form on Rock Believer, their 19th studio album.

Coming seven years after their previous Return To Forever, Scorpions just continue where they left off. While veteran lead guitarist Matthias Jabs and semi-veteran Polish bassist Pawel Maciwoda are in prime form, former Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee does a great job coming in place of powerhouse James Kottak.

Right from the opening track 'Gas In The Tank', Scorpions mean business. In his trademark manner, Meine sings, "Let's play it louder, play it hard, laid back and a little dark, give me a dirty riff, my friend, there's gotta be more gas in the tank". A couple of songs later, on 'Knock 'Em Dead', he sings, "Knock 'em dead, knock 'em dead, don't let the fame go to your head, Knock, knock, knock 'em dead, we want it all and nothing less".

Produced by Scorpions with Hans-Martin Buff, the album has 16 tracks ìn its deluxe version, available on streaming platforms. While compositions have been shared across songs by different members, many featuring Schenker, Meine has written lyrics for 15, and co-written 'Crossing Borders' with Jabs.

The focus is clearly on the harder stuff. 'Hot And Cold' has the perfect arena rock formula, with the lines, "I've got a fever, hot and cold, when I think of you, hungry eyes stare at you, watching the things you do". Then, there's 'When I Lay My Bones To Rest', which borders on head-banger thrash metal, and the quintessential Scorpions hard rocker 'Peacemaker'. The energy bursts out on 'When Tomorrow Comes', which begins."Good morning world, how do you feel, you look so angry" with brilliant back-up choruses.

Needless to say, no Scorpions album is complete without a couple of mid-tempo power ballads. The title track is a perfect blend of power chords, shifting tempos, lead guitar displays and melodic vocals with singalong lines like "Scream for me screamer, I'm a rock believer like you, just like you".

The positive vibe and vocal brilliance of 'Shining Of Your Soul' are reminiscent of the 1980s glory days. On 'Seventh Sun'. the lines, "The world belongs to the young ones, take your dreams and find the seventh sun" have the optimism that will make you want to sing along.

Finally, there's the masterpiece 'When You Know (Where You Come From)', with music by Schenker. This one is in two versions, and the second one, with only a pair of acoustic guitars, is in a class of its own, with Meine singing, "Just be true to yourself, it's your life". Somewhere in the 'Holiday' sound space, it's the kind of song that'll make you raise lit-up cellphones and torches at concerts.

The best thing about Rock Believer is its overall consistency, and its efficacy in shifting tempos. The songs still sting like before, and there's still that touch of Klaus.