SCORPIONS – In Trance + Virgin Killer [Axe Killer / Bad Reputation remastered +7] Out Of Print

In 2015, SCORPIONS released several of their albums for its ’50th band anniversary’, freshly remastered (HERE). However their early albums wasn’t part of the campaign.
This double pack of Scorpions albums “In Trance + Virgin Killer” was requested by one of you. Remastered by Axe Killer / Bad Reputation Records with their usual balanced sound and the addition of bonus tracks, this out of print Box Set is a collector’s item.

Titled “Warrior’s Set: In Trance / Virgin Killer Limited Edition”, this hard to find Box Set hide a real surprise: this in fact a 3-album package. The bonus tracks are Scorpions’ complete previous album “Fly To The Rainbow”.
So this is a real pleasure to listen to these Scorps early material in such good quality audio.

Formed in Hanover, Germany by guitarists Rudolf and Michael Schenker in 1971, with Klaus Meine, Lothar Heinberg (bass) and Wolfgang Dziony (drums), Scorpions exploded into the international heavy rock scene with Lonesome Crow in 1972 on the domestic ‘Brain’ records.
Soon after the album was released, Heinberg, Dziony and Michael Schenker left, the latter joining UFO.

Francis Buchholz and Jurgen Rosenthal stepped in on bass and drums, respectively, for the recording of next LP “Fly To The Rainbow”. Uli Jon Roth was recruited as Schenker’s replacement and Rudy Lenners took over the drumstool from Rosenthal the following year.

Signing worldwide to RCA, the new-look Scorpions’ sound consisted of initially jazz-inflected, lumbering riffs punctuated with piercing solos by Roth and topped off with Meine’s strangely accessible nasal whine.

The following releases, “In Trance” and “Virgin Killer”, epitomized the Scorpions’ new found confidence and unique style – a fusion of intimidating power-riffs, wailing guitar solos and melodic vocal lines.
Produced by Dieter Dierks, the improvements musically were now matched technically. Their reputation began to grow throughout Europe and the Far East, backed up by exhaustive touring.

If you’re only familiar with Scorpions’ 80s stuff, you need to check their early hard rock stuff, and nothing better than this “In Trance + Virgin Killer [Axe Killer / Bad Reputation remastered +7]”.

Also previously released under the title ‘Back To Black Collection’, this Axe Killer release is stupendous: a silver-plated stamp box, a complete 28-page booklet with full lyrics and rare photos.
The sound quality is great, no rumble, crisp and clear, this digital remastering really makes a difference.
Unfortunately it’s out of print, used copies being sold for over 100 Euros.
A Collector’s Item

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

In Trance [remastered +3]
01 – Dark Lady
02 – In Trance
03 – Life’s Like A River
04 – Top Of The Bill
05 – Living And Dying
06 – Robot Man
07 – Evening Wind
08 – Sun In My Hand
09 – Longing For Fire
10 – Night Lights
11 – Speedy’s Coming (Bonus Track)
12 – They Need A Million (Bonus Track)
13 – Drifting Sun (Bonus Track)

Virgin Killer [remastered +4]
01 – Pictured Life
02 – Catch Your Train
03 – In Your Park
04 – Backstage Queen
05 – Virgin Killer
06 – Hell-Cat
07 – Crying Days
08 – Polar Nights
09 – Yellow Raven
10 – Fly People Fly (Bonus Track)
11 – This Is My Song (Bonus Track)
12 – Far Away (Bonus Track)
13 – Fly To The Rainbow (Bonus Track)

Klaus Meine – lead and backing vocals
Uli Jon Roth – guitar, lead and backing vocals
Rudolf Schenker – guitar, lead and backing vocals
Francis Buchholz – bass guitar, backing vocals
Jürgen Rosenthal – drums, percussion
Rudy Lenners – drums, percussion
Achim Kirschning – synthesizer, keyboards

Out Of Print
www.amazon.co.uk/Trance-Virgin-Killer-Scorpions-2007-03-26/dp/B01A9KK3S4
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