SCORPIONS – Return To Forever [Japan Edition Blu-Spec CD2 exclusive bonuses] (2015)

As the opposite usually happens, the brand-new SCORPIONS studio album “Return To Forever” has appeared later in Japan – just three days ago – however worth the wait as it’s manufactured on the superior Blu-Spec CD2 format, and apart of including the European deluxe edition 4 bonus, adds 2 exclusive to this release.

If you were to put a gun to my head and ask me to pick one of the definitive hard rock albums of the ’80s, without hesitation, Scorpions’ Love At First Sting would be among the possible answers. The Dieter Dierks produced masterpiece for the genre memorably spawned the timeless classics Rock You Like A Hurricane, Big City Nights and Still Loving You.
Those songs continue to resonate today with Rock fans the world over. In a career that has produced album sales in excess of 100 million, the band had flirted with the idea of retirement with an extensive farewell tour.
But with a new generation of fans attending Scorpions shows, a renewed vigour engulfed the band.
So much so, to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, a tour and the release of a new CD, “Return To Forever”, their 19th studio album is set to open a whole new chapter in the German legends history.

And that chapter begins with “Going Out With A Bang”, where they’re dropping a hint here regarding their future, but judging by the racket they make here, they ain’t going quietly.
The soft, melodic tempo of “We Built This House” is for more melodic listeners, even if AOR is your weapon of choice, this slick tune will not disappoint.
Scorpions made no secret of the fact that a lot of this album is made up of unfinished tracks from the Love At First Sting and Blackout sessions. And on hearing the all out mayhem on “Rock My Car”, a nostalgic jolt will hit you right between the eyes.
“All For One” may have cheesy high five brotherhood lyrics, but the strong melodic chorus makes this song one of the strongest here.

I’m not exaggerating when I say Scorpions are the grandmasters of the rock ballad, Still Loving You, Wind Of Change and When The Smoke Is Going Down, all firmly back up that statement.
“House Of Cards” can be proudly added to that list, with Klaus Meine‘s unmistakable voice sublime as always. There’s no massive power finish, Jabs and Schenker show a classy restraint with some soothing fretwork.
But it’s to back to basics on the full throttle “Rock ‘N’ Roll Band” and the arrogant strut of “Catch Your Luck And Play”, a track brimming with feel good vibes. “Rollin Home” is way too tame and frankly is nothing more than a poor b-side, but they’re back in the saddle on “Hard Rockin The Place” with Schenker and Jabs showing why they’re probably the most consistent guitar duo in Rock history.

More balladeer magic on the genial “Eye Of The Storm”, maximum simplicity is the key here on a track packed with genuine emotion. The Scorps do their best Stray Cats impersonation on The Scratch, a rampaging slice of metalized rockabilly.
Another highlight on this album comes with closer “Gypsy Life”, another ballad, but a real throwback to the classic era of the Scorpions, a song that ties together all the elements that made this band so engaging.
The Deluxe Edition 4 bonuses include the melodic rocker “The World We Used To Know”, the harder “Dancing With The Moonlight”, the very good midtempo “When The Truth Is A Lie” and the beautiful acoustic “Who We Are”.

This “Return To Forever Japanese Blu-Spec CD2” worth the extra pennies. The Digipak is velvet-textured, and you have two exclusive bonus tracks: the kickin’ hard rocker “One And One Is Three” very much in the ’84 Scorpions vibe (and a crime that it is not included in the regular CD), plus the hooky “Crazy Ride”, a melodic rocker in the pure Schenker tradition.

There are no surprises on “Return To Forever”, no great leaps are trying to be made, nor do they need to be. Scorpions legendary status has been cemented for years now. Today they are just helping to keep the flag of melodic hard rock and classic metal flying high.
Highly Recommended.

Sony Music Japan ~ SICP-30719

01 – Going Out With A Bang
02 – We Built This House
03 – Rock My Car
04 – House Of Cards
05 – All For One
06 – Rock’n’Roll Band
07 – Catch Your Luck And Play
08 – Rollin’ Home
09 – Hard Rockin’ The Place
10 – Eye Of The Storm
11 – The Scratch
12 – Gypsy Life
13 – The World We Used To Know (Bonus Track)
14 – Dancing With The Moonlight (Bonus Track)
15 – When The Truth Is A Lie (Bonus Track)
16 – Who We Are (Bonus Track)
17 – One And One Is Three (Only Japan Bonus Track)
18 – Crazy Ride (Only Japan Bonus Track)

Klaus Meine (vocals)
Rudolf Schenker (guitar)
Matthias Jabs (guitar)
James Kottak (drums)
Pawel Maciwoda (bass)

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SICP-30719
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