Scorpions - Peacemaker

Legendary rockers SCORPIONS have return with their new single titled "Peacemaker" comes from the band's upcoming 19th album, "Rock Believer", out Feb. 25. An album that was created in the studio during the lockdown in Hannover.

SCORPIONS are a German rock band formed in 1965 in Hanover by Rudolf Schenker. Since the band's inception, its musical style has ranged from hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal, and soft rock. The lineup from 1978 to 1992 was the most successful incarnation of the group, and included Klaus Meine (vocals), Rudolf Schenker (rhythm guitar), Matthias Jabs (lead guitar), Francis Buchholz (bass), and Herman Rarebell (drums). The band's only continuous member has been Schenker, although Meine has appeared on all of SCORPIONS' studio albums, while Jabs has been a consistent member since 1978, and bassist Paweł Mąciwoda and drummer Mikkey Dee have been in the band since 2003 and 2016 respectively.

"Rock Believer" marks the first SCORPIONS studio album since 2015's "Return To Forever". It's also their first to feature former MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee, who joined the group in 2016 following the death of Lemmy Kilmister and subsequent dissolution of his band.

The band recorded the bulk of the album at Peppermint Park Studios in their native Hanover, Germany, and coproduced it with engineer Hans-Martin Buff. They had originally planned to tap Los Angeles-based producer Greg Fidelman (METALLICA, BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER), but the coronavirus pandemic thwarted their plans. "I did a lot of basic tracks and the preproduction vocals in my own place before I came here to Peppermint Park, where we recorded the album finally," Meine tells UCR.

"But to have the band in one room together and to play together and to feel it together, I think that makes such a difference. Especially with a drummer in the band like Mikkey Dee."

SCORPIONS will support the release of "Rock Believer" with a 2022 world tour, which begins on March 26 with a nine-show residency at Las Vegas' Zappos Theater before heading to Europe. MAMMOTH WVH will join them on select dates. See all the dates below.

Enjoy today's tune "Peacemaker", taken from the upcomming album "Rock Believer".



SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH 2022 ZAPPOS THEATER AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30TH 2022 ZAPPOS THEATER AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES
FRIDAY, APRIL 1ST 2022 ZAPPOS THEATER AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD 2022 ZAPPOS THEATER AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES
THURSDAY, APRIL 7TH 2022 ZAPPOS THEATER AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES
SATURDAY, APRIL 9TH 2022 ZAPPOS THEATER AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES
TUESDAY, APRIL 12TH 2022 ZAPPOS THEATER AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES
THURSDAY, APRIL 14TH 2022 ZAPPOS THEATER AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES
SATURDAY, APRIL 16TH 2022 ZAPPOS THEATER AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES
TUESDAY, MAY 10TH 2022 ALTICE ARENA LISBOA, PORTUGAL
FRIDAY, MAY 13TH 2022 ZENITH TOULOUSE, FRANCE
SUNDAY, MAY 15TH 2022 ZENITH LILLE, FRANCE
TUESDAY, MAY 17TH 2022 ACCORHOTELS ARENA PARIS, FRANCE
SATURDAY, MAY 21ST 2022 HALLENSTADION ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND
MONDAY, MAY 23RD 2022 ARENA DI VERONA VERONA, ITALY
THURSDAY, MAY 26TH 2022 O2 ARENA PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
SATURDAY, MAY 28TH 2022 TAURON ARENA KRAKÓW, POLAND
MONDAY, MAY 30TH 2022 LÁSZLÓ PAPP BUDAPEST SPORTS ARENA BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
FRIDAY, JUNE 3RD 2022 ROCK FEST HELSINKI, FINLAND
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8TH 2022 SCHLEYER HALLE STUTTGART, GERMANY
FRIDAY, JUNE 10TH 2022 OLYMPIAHALLE MUNICH, GERMANY
SUNDAY, JUNE 12TH 2022 FESTHALLE FRANKFURT, GERMANY
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15TH 2022 MERCEDES BENZ ARENA BERLIN, GERMANY
FRIDAY, JUNE 17TH 2022 ZAG ARENA HANNOVER, GERMANY
SUNDAY, JUNE 19TH 2022 WESTFALENHALLE DORTMUND, GERMANY
THURSDAY, JUNE 23RD 2022 HELLFEST CLISSON, FRANCE
SATURDAY, JUNE 25TH 2022 PARQUE EL BATEL CARTAGENA, SPAIN
TUESDAY, JUNE 28TH 2022 PALAIS NIKAIA NICE, FRANCE
THURSDAY, JUNE 30TH 2022 LE GALAXIE AMNEVILLE, FRANCE
SATURDAY, JULY 2ND 2022 ZÉNITH D’AUVERGNE CLERMONT-FERRAND, FRANCE

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Pretty Maids - Kingmaker

"Kingmaker" is the the latest and the fifteenth studio album of Danish metal icons PRETTY MAIDS. Building on their rebirth with 2010’s ”Pandemonium" and 2013’s ”Motherland", they are back with ”Kingmaker", which follows the same formula as their previous releases. They’re still led by founding guitarist Ken Hammer and vocalist Ronnie Atkins, who have been the backbone of their existence from the very beginning in 1981.

The album was pre-released in Japan on October 21, 2016. In other areas, it was released on 4 November 2016 by Frontiers Records. It is the first album of all new material since Motherland (2013). Kingmaker is the first album without keyboard player Morten Sandager who left the band in February 2016 after joining Pretty Maids in 2006. Instead Kim Olesen of Anubis Gate plays keyboards on the album.

In an interview with The Classic Metal Show, lead singer Ronnie Atkins said of the album: "Basically we are big pop freaks as well. We like all kinds of music and to us a good song is a good song. Some of the stuff is actually written on an acoustic guitar. There are songs on the album that are basically pop songs. You could take songs like "Heavens Little Devil", basically just a pop song. The challenge is turning a pop song into a rock song."

The album debuted at number 35 on the German Albums Chart, becoming Pretty Maids' highest-charting album since Jump the Gun in 1990 (which also charted at number 35). However, the album failed to chart in their native Denmark.

Today’s tune ”Kingmaker” is the title tune from the bands latest release.



Upcoming Tour Dates:

July 27-29 HEADBANGER'S OPEN AIR BRANDE-HÖRNERKIRCHEN - DE
July 28-30 ROCK OF AGES SEEBRONN - DE
Aug 3 HELGE Å FESTIVALEN KNISLINGE - SE
Aug 4 BRIENZERSEE ROCKFESTIVAL BRIENZ - CH
Aug 5 SKOGSRÖJET FESTIVAL REJMYRE - SE
Aug 6 HARD ROCK SESSION FESTIVAL COLMAR - FR
Aug 11 ALCATRAZ FESTIVAL KORTRIJK - BE
Aug 12 SMUKFEST SKANDERBORG - DK
Oct 27 GJETHUSET FREDERIKSVÆRK - DK
Nov 24 KEDELHUSET SILKEBORG - DK
Nov 29 ROYAL ARENA - Supporting SCORPIONS COPENHAGEN - DK
Dec 7 AMAGER BIO Future World 30 Years Anniversary Show COPENHAGEN - DK
Dec 8 STICKY FINGERS Future World 30 Years Anniversary Show GÖTEBORG - SE
Dec 9 FRYSHUSET Future World 30 Years Anniversary Show STOCKHOLM - SE
Dec 15 FORUM HORSENS - Dobbelt Koncert med D-A-D HORSENS - DK

More info @

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Inglorious - Inglorious

Monday, New Week, New Year! It's time to introduce the first "Record Of The Week" for this year.

"Inglorious" is the self-titled debut album from the rising Hard-Rock band, INGLORIOUS. The album was release on Friday 19th February 2016 and is the "Record Of The Week".

INGLORIOUS are a UK-based Hard Rock band. Formed in February 2014, the band is fronted by Nathan James, who sang for a time with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and SCORPIONS guitarist Uli Jon Roth. Nathan James had become well known through TV shows "The Voice" and "Superstar". INGLORIOUS is composed the lead singer Nathan James, the rhythm guitarist Wil Taylor, lead guitarist Andreas Eriksson (Swedish), bassist Colin Parkinson, and drummer Phil Beaver. Wil, from the Northeast of England, is the youngest member of the band whose heroes include Mark Tremonti (ALTER BRIDGE), Joe Satriani and Steve Lukather (TOTO). The whole band wrote the album with a few guest writers including Al Pitrelli (MEGADEATH, ALICE COOPER, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), Joel Hoekstra (NIGHT RANGER, WHITESNAKE) and Neil Fairclough (QUEEN).

You can hear some of the classics in the rock genre as DEEP PURPLE, LED ZEPPELIN, WHITESNAKE, BAD COMPANY, AEROSMITH, THE ROLLING STONES to name a few in INGLORIOUS music.

"Inglorious" is an eleven tune strong album that starts with the killer lead tune "Until I Die", heavy organ, melodic bluesy rocker that really kicks, excellent vocals from Nathan James. "Breakaway" is a hard hitting rocker with a more screaming vocal approach. "High Flying Gypsy" slows down the tempo a notch and gives the listener a modern twist on a Zeppelin vibe. "Holy Water" is amazingly brilliant tune with powerful bluesy riffs and vocals that really will melt your is black hearted soul down to pure holy water. With half pace start of "Warning" it's like a heavy truck moving uphill before it reached the top and start to roll down, then the tune is rolling as a real swagger with a twin guitar attack. The heavy bluesy ballad "Bleed For You" is a real soulful thing, great vocals, beautiful guitar solo. Follows up in the same path with "Girl Got A Gun". "You’re Mine" tunes it up a notch with a more heavy riffing approach. "Inglorious" is really a great piece with it's monotone heavy riffs and big heart pounding bass line. "Wake" is a acoustic piece with wonderful vocals. The album closes up with the rocker "Unaware" that ends with a amazing piano fill.

"Inglorious" is a classic Hard Rock album, big guitar riffs, and soulful vocals. The production is top notch with it's sharpness, it’s crisp, but still keeps the warmness! Well done there. After a listen to the self titled album you will quickly find out that this is the future of British rock.

Sum: It's a very convincing debut that any rocker should listen to.

Today's tune "Until I Die" is taken from their self titled debut album "INGLORIOUS", enjoy!



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Scorpions – Tokyo Tapes

Tokyo Tapes is the first live album by German Rock band SCORPIONS and includes songs from all SCORPIONSs albums released before 1978, which were recorded at Nakano Sun Plaza (Tokyo's Nakano Ward, Japan) on April 24 and 27, during the band's Japanese tour in 1978. These shows were guitarist Uli Jon Roth's last performances with the band, who had announced his departure after the release of the studio album "Taken by Force".

The songs "Hell-Cat", "Catch Your Train" and the Japanese national anthem ("Kimi ga yo") were also performed during these shows but were not included in the official album. On the 2001 EMI re-mastered CD, "Polar Nights" was omitted so as to fit a single CD, although it was included on the re-mastered version of "Taken by Force". The earlier two-CD release, however, is the original album in its entirety. The original release was in August 1978 in Japan only with cover artwork of an embossed platinum Scorpion on a rose as opposed to a live shot of the band when it was eventually released in Europe in late 1978. It was released in January 1979 in the U.S.A..

Uli Jon Roth commented about the recording of the album:

"Tokyo Tapes was a peak time, we have played together for all these years and it all came together at that time. Particularly on the first show, which unfortunately wasn't recorded. There were three shows in Tokyo, the first one was by far the best, but the second one was good too. Those are the ones on the album, the second and the third that were used. The first one I thought was a lot better and I was disappointed that it wasn't recorded."

In 2015, as part of SCORPIONS 50th Anniversary, Tokyo Tapes was remastered and re-released, with all omitted songs restored ("Polar Nights" and the three songs excluded) and alternate version of several songs originally found on the album. Due to time constraints, "Robot Man", the last track of the original release, was shifted to the beginning of Disc 2 which otherwise contains bonus tracks).

Tokyo Tapes is one terrific slab of rock history, just before the band hit big time in USA with it's more straightforward hard rock sound, tailored for the American market. The album do not have any weak moments and shows the band at their peak form.

It was a strange idea – cutting a live album with a guitar player who was leaving the band. But that’s what the SCORPIONS did with "Tokyo Tapes", and it provided a glorious swan song for Uli Jon Roth. But with Roth, they had a broader style and his trippy vibe to songs such as "Polar Nights" and "Dark Lady". He also played beautifully on the ballads "In Trance" and "In Search Of The Peace Of Mind". Other early SCORPIONS classic is present: "We’ll Burn The Sky", "Steamrock Fever", "Robot Man", "Pictured Life", and the politically incorrect "He’s A Woman, She’s A Man". And there is fun to be had with the two party pieces: a version of the Japanese song "Kōjō no Tsuki", and a medley of rock’n’roll standards "Hound Dog" and "Long Tall Sally" in which Klaus Meine’s accent brings a touch of unintentional comedy as he sings: “Whar garnar harv sarm farn tonart!”

Sum: Tokyo Tapes should be in every single rockers collection.

Todays tune "We'll Burn the Sky" is a great piece on Tokyo Tapes. The lyrics to "We'll Burn the Sky" were initially a poem written by Monika Dannemann, the last girlfriend of Jimi Hendrix, as a tribute to him after he died. Later, she became involved with Scorpions' guitarist Uli Jon Roth (himself an admirer of Jimi Hendrix) and they worked together on some songs. The music for We'll Burn the Sky was written by the Scorpions founder and rhythm guitarist Rudolf Schenker.



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Whitesnake - Soldier of Fortune

Rock icons WHITESNAKE realising their 12th studio album "The Purple Album" today May 15th and in North America on Tuesday May 19th via Frontiers Music SRL. "The Purple Album" is a re-imagination of classic songs from David Coverdale’s time as the lead singer for DEEP PURPLEs Mark 3 and Mark 4 studio albums.

WHITESNAKE was formed in England in 1978 by Coverdale. The band has released multi-platinum selling albums throughout the years and have been known for hits such as “Slide It In,” “Here I Go Again,” “Still Of The Night” and “Is This Love.”  

WHITESNAKE will hit the road this summer on a headlining world tour, see the dates below!

Todays tune "Soldier of Fortune" is latest single taken from WHITESNAKEs latest album "The Purple Album" The tune is a blues rock ballad written by David Coverdale and Ritchie Blackmore and originally released on DEEP PURPLEs 1974 album "Stormbringer". As of 30 May 2014, "Soldier of Fortune" is DEEP PURPLEs 7th most "listened" song with over 15,000 hits on Last.fm and has been included in many rock ballad compilation albums. Though DEEP PURPLE has never released the song as a single and it has never placed on the record charts, it has developed a cult following over the years, and cover versions have been released by WHITESNAKE, OPETH, BLACK MAJESTY and the Romanian band IRIS.

The OPETH cover was included as a bonus track in the Special Edition release of Ghost Reveries (2006) and was subsequently released as a single in March 2007, which is available from iTunes. Roadrunner Records lists OPETHs version among their 13 wildest covers, calling it a faithful cover while adding Mikael Åkerfeldt's "unexpectedly soulful vocals."

Upcoming Tourdates:

May 28th Airway Heights, WA Northern Quest Casino
May 29th Tacoma, WA Emerald Queen Casino
May 31st Vancouver, BC Hard Rock Casino
June 2nd Santa Rosa, CA Wells Fargo
June 4th Las Vegas, NV The Joint
June 5th Scottsdale, AZ Talking Stick Pool Amp
June 6th Pala, CA Pala Casino - Starlight Theater
June 9th Beverly Hills, CA Saban Theatre
June 11th San Francisco, CA Regency Ballroom
June 15th Colorado Springs, CO Pikes Peak Center
June 17th Shawnee, OK Grand Events Center
June 19th Biloxi, MS Hard Rock
June 20th Houston, TX HOB
June 22nd Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theater
June 23rd San Antonio, TX Majestic Theater
June 25th Socorro, TX Socorro Event Center
June 27th Greeley, CO Greeley Independence Stampede
June 28th Norfolk, NE Divots Music Festival
June 30th Milwaukee, WI Summerfest
July 2nd Rama, ON Casino Rama
July 3rd Sterling Heights, MI Freedom Hill AMP
July 5th Northfield, OH Hard Rock
July 7th Huber Heights, OH Music Center @ The Heights
July 8th Wabash, IN Honeywell Center
July 10th Mahnomen, MN Shoot Star Casino
July 11th St. Paul, MN Myth
July 14th Clear Lake, IA Surf Ballroom
July 16th Oshkosh, WI Rock USA
July 17th Geneva, IL Geneva Music Park
July 18th Merrillville, IN Star Plaza
July 20th Greensburg, PA Palace Theater
July 22nd Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino
July 24th Lincoln, RI Twin River Casino
July 25th Atlantic City, NJ Trump Taj Mahal
July 27th Westbury, NY Theater At Westbury
July 28th New Haven, CT College Street Music Hall
July 31st Jacksonville, FL Florida Theater
August 1st Melbourne, FL King Center
August 3rd Orlando, FL Hard Rock
August 5th Hollywood, FL Seminole Hard Rock Live
August 6th Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
August 8th Markesville, LA Paragon Casino Mari Center
August 9th Austin, TX ACL Live @ The Moody Theater
August 11th Midland, TX Wagner Noel PAC
August 13th Tulsa, OK Hard Rock Casino Tulsa
August 15th Rogers, AR The AR Music Pavillion
August 16th St. Charles, MO Family Arena

**WHITESNAKE will be playing as Special Guest with THE SCORPIONS on November 28th in Zurich.

WHITESNAKE are excited to announce THE DEAD DASIES as special guest on all forthcoming shows (Excluding Zurich) in Europe during November & Early December prior to hitting the UK with DEF LEPPARD.

November 8th Moscow, RU Crocus City Hall
November 9th St Petersburg, RU *BKZ Oktyabrskiy
November 11th Helsinki, FI *Icehall
November 13th Stockholm, SE Hovet
November 14th Helsingor, DK *The Culture Yard
November 16th Berlin, DE *Columbiahalle
November 17th Praque CZ *O2 Arena
November 19th Vienna, AU Gasometer
November 21st Zagreb, HR Cebona Hall
November 22nd Belgrade, RS Hala Pionir
November 24th Sofia, BG Armeec Arena
November 25nd Skopje, MK Boris Trajkovski
November 28th Zurich, CH **Hallenstadion
November 29th Milan, IT Alcatraz
December 1st Brussels, BE Forest National
December 2nd Utrecht, NL Tivilivredenburg

UK & Ireland

UK co-headline Arena tour with DEF LEPPARD in December 2015.

December 6th Dublin, IE 3 Arena
December 7th Belfast, UK Odyssey
December 9th Newcastle, UK Metro Radio Arena
December 10th Glasgow, UK The SSE Hydro
December 12th Birmingham, UK Genting Arena
December 13th Nottingham, UK Capital FM Arena
December 15th Manchester, UK Arena
December 16th Cardiff, UK Motorpoint Arena
December 18th London, UK The SSE Arena Wembley
December 19th Sheffield, UK Motorpoint Arena

More info @

Official Whitesnake Web

Listen to "Whitesnake- Soldier of Fortune" on Spotify here!

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Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane

Sunday, time for a classic tune.

"Rock You Like a Hurricane" is a song by the German hard rock band Scorpions. The song was released as the second track of their 1984 album Love at First Sting.

The racetrack depicted on the single's sleeve corresponds to the Circuito Permanente de Jerez, located in Spain.

The lyrics of "Rock You Like a Hurricane" also reference the title of the album on which it originally appeared – Love at First Sting. 

A new version was recorded in 2000 as "Hurricane 2000" on the album Moment of Glory, featuring Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra backing the track. In the same way, it was titled "Hurricane 2001" when played on the follow-up Acoustica. A third re-recording by the band features on their album Comeblack, released in 2011.

In terms of ’80s metal classics, however, the tune is the Platonic ideal: a headbanging-worthy repeating riff, gigantic drums, a ripping solo and an indelible refrain—sing it now—‘Here I am / Rock you like a hurricane.’

Although the official video is full of ’80s clichés (women dressed as animals, actual zoo animals, absurd sci-fi flourishes), the campy edge of the music never overshadows the ferocious nature of the song. Heck, ‘Rock You Like A Hurricane’ even sounds badass when interpreted by an orchestra: Just try to stop yourself from fist-pumping while watching this video of the band performing with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.



More info @

Official Scorpions Web

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Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock - Vigilante Man

Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock, the band led by legendary German guitarist Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO), will release their next studio album, titled "Spirit On A Mission", which is set to release on March 23.

The band features Schenker alongside ex-Rainbow singer Doogie White, guitarist/keyboardist Wayne Findlay, bassist Francis Buchholz and ex-Scorpions drummer Herman Rarebell.

"Spirit On A Mission" features twelve 12 classic rock guitar-driven songs that highlight Schenker's distinctive and dynamic guitar playing, valiantly underpinned by the ferocious rhythm section of Rarebell and Buchholz, the same rhythm section that originally performed together on the Scorpions' 1979 album "Lovedrive".

Michael remembers how he came up with the name of the new album: "A while ago I was asked how I wanted to be remembered, and I said 'as a spirit on a mission, spreading the joy of music from a place of pure self expression.'"

Scottish vocalist Doogie White, who co-wrote the album with Schenker, soars across every song, and stamps his personality with every note and phrase, while Wayne Findlay adds a new level to Schenker's classic sound with his Dean seven-string guitar and keyboard arrangements.

"Spirit On A Mission" is a rapturous, explosive collection of brand new songs steeped in shades of dark and light. Musically and lyrically, the new album shows a re-energized guitarist at the top of his game, surrounded by some of the best musicians in rock.

The new album was recorded at Kidroom Studios in Münster, Germany; the same studio where 2013's "Bridge The Gap" album was laid down. The album was produced by Michael Voss and Michael Schenker, and engineered by Voss.

The new album also sees guitarist and keyboard player Wayne Findlay taking on a bigger role.

"Spirit On A Mission" track listing:

01. Live And Let Live 02. Communion*
03. Vigilante Man
04. Rock City
05. Saviour Machine*
06. Something Of The Night
07. All Our Yesterdays
08. Bulletproof*
09. Let The Devil Scream*
10. Good Times
11. Restless Heart
12. Wicked*
13. Searching For Freedom (instrumental) (bonus track on deluxe edition + vinyl edition)

All songs are written by:

Music - Michael Schenker
Lyrics - Doogie White

Except* music and lyrics by Michael Schenker, Doogie White, Wayne Findlay

Asked if he is more comfortable as a solo artist or playing in an established group, Schenker told Guitar World magazine: "Definitely as a solo artist.

"It was very important for me to create MSG, which I did for creative freedom. It let me express myself in so many ways and not be held down by any one particular type of monster machine.

"I hate being a box, and I'm glad I didn't get stuck in one for my entire career.

"I love the fact that I don't know what's going to happen next for me. And that's the difference between me and my brother [Scorpions guitarist Rudolf Schenker]: he looks at the big picture, I look at the details. We're opposites, even though we have the same genes and share a lot of the same emotions when it comes to music."

Regarding how he came to join the Scorpions, Michael said: "My brother always got me my gigs in the early days. I had been in bands since I was 11, and one day my brother told me that he wanted me to hook up with this great singer he knew, and that was Klaus Meine. Rudolf introduced us, and we started a band together called THE COPERNICUS. Our rehearsal space was right next to the Scorpions, and one day we were rehearsing and they were listening to us — their singer was late for rehearsal — and they approached Klaus and me about joining the band, and we did."

Todays tune "Vigilante Man" is taken from the upcoming album "Spirit On A Mission"(released 23rd March 2015).



More info @

About Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock Web

No Spotify yet, will update up on release!

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Scorpions - In Trance

In Trance is the third studio album by the German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1975. The album's music was the complete departure from the progressive Krautrock of the two previous albums, in favor of a heavy metal sound of shorter and tighter arrangements with which the band would achieve their later global success and fame, extended suites in the vein of songs such as "Lonesome Crow" and "Fly to the Rainbow" are absent altogether. It is the first album by the band to contain the now-famous logo and controversial artwork.

The original version of the album cover, photographed by Michael von Gimbut, was censored for clearly showing the cover model's exposed breast hanging down towards the guitar. Later releases have the breast blacked out so that it is not visible. This is the first of many Scorpions album covers that have been censored. The band's former lead guitarist Uli Jon Roth claimed he may have come up with the "idea to do the thing with the guitar for the cover of In Trance". However, in a 2008 interview Roth claimed that early Scorpions album covers in general were "the record company's idea, but we certainly didn't object. And so shame on us. Those covers were probably the most embarrassing thing I've ever been involved with." He did, though, classify the In Trance cover as "borderline". The White Stratocaster shown on the cover belonged to Roth and he can be seen playing the same guitar on the cover of the Electric Sun album Fire Wind. This is the guitar that Roth used on all subsequent Scorpions and Electric Sun albums on which he played. This was the band's first album to feature the band's name written in the now-familiar font used on nearly all subsequent album covers, as well as their first collaboration with producer Dieter Dierks.

Censored cover

Band members
Klaus Meine – lead vocals
Ulrich Roth – lead guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Dark Lady" and "Sun In My Hand"
Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Francis Buchholz – bass guitar, backing vocals
Rudy Lenners – drums, percussion

Todays tune ”In Trance”, live from At Kokaido Hall, Nagoya, Japan, 03.06.1979 (Audio only and some Rare Photos)

Scorpions performing ”In Trance” feat Cäthe at (MTV Unplugged in Greece). On 11, 12, and 14 September 2013, the Scorpions played three MTV Unplugged concerts at the Lycabettus-Theatre in Athens



More info @

Official Scorpions Web

Listen to ”Scorpions - In Trance" on Spotify here!

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Scorpions - The Zoo

Hi again, Spader Ess is back. This time I will direct my spotlight towards Germany, and to be more precise, Scorpions. Another band that have been a big inspiration to me, just to fade away into indifference.

The band formally formed in 1965, and their music has ranged from hard rock, to heavy metal, to meeehhh.
With their first album, "Lonesome Crow" from 1972, the band launch itself towards a great career, that in my world lasted until somewhere around 1988 when Scorpions released their album, "Savage Amusement", which in my opinion was the start of crap and decades of sleazy ballad goo.

Don’t get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with a good ballad at times (heck, quite a few ballads are some of my favorite songs of all time) and Scorpions had already released a bunch of great ballads like “In Trance” and “Holiday”. But now the band more or less became synonym with languorous ballads, both new and old, that made sugar seem bitter and harsh. It’s not a coincident that Scorpions have been included in most “Power Ballad” projects that has seen the day of light as they have done quite a few. Maybe only matched by Nazareth. Thinking of it, Nazareth has done about the same journey for me too. They started out about the same time. Great early records that made it into the mid eighties before loosing my attention. Both bands released groundbreaking Live albums, "Tokyo Tapes" with Scorpions and "‘Snaz" for Nazareth. But, they have so much better music in their repertoire.

Another characteristic thing about Scorpions, that in my mind went from fab to fad, is the repeatedly use of sexist lyrics. As a young teenager it was quite amusing, but after a while it got kind of tiresome and unimaginative. This put together made, that after "Savage Amusement", I have more or less missed out on the later records. With exception for the “Wind of Change” like songs that is constantly played on all Classic rock radio stations.

But, let us leave the backside of the later years and focus on the good parts. Scorpions have made some great music throughout the years. Many legendary musicians has passed the band, and they seem to be quite nice people. Not to mention the fact that they have put German rock on the map. They were one of the first hard rock acts to make it big in Japan and they also gave the Flying V guitar a face (or two).

So, I leave you with one of their many highlights. “The Zoo”



More info @

Official Scorpions Web
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Skunk Anansie - I Believed In You

Last Saturday, it was Rockklassiker Live at Göransson Arena in Sandviken. One of the support act for Scorpions was the British punk rock band "Skunk Anansie".

The band formed in March 1994, disbanded in 2001 and reformed in 2009. The name "Skunk Anansie" is taken from the West African folk tales of Anansi the spider-man, with “Skunk” added to "make the name nastier". They are often grouped as part of a Britrock movement, running alongside Britpop.

Skunk Anansie's new and 6th studio album titled "Black Traffic" was released in September 2012. The band’s follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2010’s Wonderlustre was recorded in London and produced by Skunk Anansie and Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Biffy Clyro, Pixies) and mixed by Jeremy Wheatley and Adrian Bushby. Its a hugely successful return for the band, who regrouped in 2009 following an eight year hiatus.

The band seemed really hungry on stage and delivered a really awesome show where "Skin" was like an adrenaline noisy squirrel on stage and sang actually really good live.

Here are some pictures:

Dalton Drums

Dalton Live

Sator Live

Skunk Anansie Live

Skunk Anansie Live

Skunk Anansie Live

Todays tune "I Believed In You" is the first release from the album "Black Traffic". Lyrically, it notes the disappointment many feel about their elected politicians: "I think a lot of people feel let down by their leaders. Everybody wants us to vote, but who for? They all fu*k up because eventually it becomes more about keeping their positions of power than elevating the position of their country". Skin




More info @

Official Skunk Anansie Web

Listen to "Skunk Anansie - I Believed In You" on Spotify here!

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Scorpions - The Zoo

This weekend I was in Sandviken to watch the Rockklassiker(Rockclassics) Live where you could witness Scorpions last gig on Swedish soil, a little strange feeling indeed, but on the other hand, this you have of course heard before, you know... bands that have played music all their life can't just stop like that, would not surprise me at all if you can see them on the road soon again. That these uncles can deliver a show that sounds good, well played, and contains an interesting show with a material that few bands can present live is a great achievement. That these uncles can deliver a show that sounds good, well played, and contains an interesting show with a material that few bands can present live is a great achievement.

The fact that their show goes on a routine by now, setlist has probably looked the same the last few years, if not longer, I'm actually satisfied when the last notes rings out across the arena which besides was fully packed (sold out) with fans who wanted to take a last farewell.

Scorpions are probably well known by now, so no introduction is needed.

This is the setlist from the evening:

Sting in the Tail
Make It Real
Is There Anybody There?
The Zoo
Coast to Coast
Loving You Sunday Morning
The Best Is Yet to Come
Send Me an Angel
Holiday
Raised on Rock
Tease Me Please Me
Hit Between the Eyes
Kottak Attack
Blackout
Six String Sting
Big City Nights

Encore:

Still Loving You
Wind of Change
Rock You Like a Hurricane

Here are some pictures.

Todays tune "The Zoo" is written by band members Rudolf Schenker (guitar) and Klaus Meine (vocals). It first appeared on the band's 1980 album Animal Magnetism. The song has been featured on a few of Scorpions "Best-Of" compilations, including Deadly Sting: The Mercury Years, Bad for Good: The Very Best of Scorpions, the box set Box of Scorpions and a re-recorded version for the Comeblack album. The song was released as a single in 1980 but had limited chart success, peaking at #75 in the UK. "The Zoo" is both "ominously slow and melodically accessible," with a key element being the "Berlin burlesque vocal melody." Schenker wrote much of the song's music during the band's first tour of the United States in 1979. When Meine first heard Schenker's riff, it reminded him of the band's earlier visit to a street in New York City, which was humorously called a "zoo." Meine later composed the song's lyrics, which contain references to city streets - most notably, New York's 42nd Street.

Scorpions - The Zoo - live at Wacken Open Air - 2006.



Scorpions - The Zoo - live in Japan 1984.



The remaining Tour dates on the Final Sting World Tour 2012:

December, 15th 2012, Oberhausen, Germany, König-Pilsener-ARENA
December, 17th 2012, Munich, Germany, Olympiahalle


More info @

Official Scorpions Web

Listen to "Scorpions - The Zoo" on Spotify here!

Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify here!