SCORPIONS – Comeblack

The impending retirement of the Scorpions has been put on hold, at least a little while longer, with this inconsequential release titled Comeblack. This album is composed of re-recorded Scorpion classics from the ’80s and cover versions of popular Rock songs from the ’60s and ’70s. Of course, releasing an album of re-recorded material is nothing new; bands like Kiss and Anthrax have done it, albeit with mediocre success. It appears that this Scorpions release may come with the same fate.

The seven re-recorded tracks include their A-List standards: “Rhythm Of Love”, “No One Like You”, “The Zoo”, “Rock You Like A Hurricane”, “Blackout”, “Winds Of Change”, and “Still Loving You”. When compared to the original album recordings of these tracks, there is nothing significantly different. There is a slightly rougher and edgier sound given to these songs as they have a more “live” recorded feel to them, opposed to the pristine and perfected production value of the original recordings. The heavier tracks like “The Zoo” and “Blackout” definitely have a noticeable higher degree of intensity.

What makes this album interesting are the six cover songs performed here. It seems odd that a legendary band like the Scorpions are performing ordinary covers of average Rock songs. Listeners would be more apt to hear other bands cover Scorpions songs; nevertheless they did put their best foot forward. The song selection features mainly songs from the late ’60s and early ’70s covering bands like The Beatles, The Kinks, and The Rolling Stones. They do a good job of giving these tracks a signature Scorpion-like sound, and also show a slight expansion of Klaus Meine’s exemplary vocal talent. One of the better tracks is a cover of T Rex’s “Children Of The Revolution”, which has great strength both vocally and musically.

Overall, Comeblack will probably not go down as a grand shining moment in Scorpions history. Scorpions fans will enjoy listening to the different variety of music offered here, but won’t get too much past that point. Although the album was released very quietly in November 2011 in Europe, the USA release was January 2012. There is potential for more noise about this album to follow its USA release, but will most likely still fall flat.