Scorpions did something a lot of bands were doing and that was recording a live album using an orchestra. Metal and classical music go together as metal’s influences are heavily drawn from classical music. However, it doesn’t mean it should be done with every band. They were accused of copying Metallica who had released ‘S&M’ a year earlier. However, it actually had been discussed to do back in 1995 when the Berlin Philharmonic originally approached Scorpions to do such a show. Originally they had approached Michael Kamen, but he gave up on the job so he could actually go work Metallica on their album. They eventually found a composer by the name of Christian Kolonovits and along with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the album was completed.

It was recorded during January, March and April 2000 and was finally released on August 8, 2000. The album features only 10 tracks that consist of re-worked songs integrated with an orchestra and some really cool interludes from classical pieces. The album went to #3 in Germany and it did go Gold, but did nothing in the U.S. as I don’t think I heard about this until years later, but I was checked out on the band at this time any way. During the Hanover EXPO in June of 2000, they performed the show live and it was recorded for a DVD and was released in December 2000. During 2021, the band took it on the road and did 7 shows in Russia and other Baltic countries.

The show kicks off with a complete rearrangement of “Rock You Like a Hurricane” called “Hurricane 2000”. You get a grand opening that all the orchestra and it feels like the opening to a movie or maybe even a Bugs Bunny cartoon. The band joins in and you get that classic Hurricane riff re-imagined with an orchestra and a lot of extra notes thrown in. The overall tempo is slowed down as Klaus seems to slowly sing the lyrics instead of the rapid fire approach in the original. They added some women’s backing vocals towards the end of the song which totally strips the balls off the song. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t the Hurricane we all grew up with either. It does kick off the show with a bang though even if a little muted.

Next up is a new track called “Moment of Glory” and was the theme song for the Hanover EXPO 2000 which is basically a large world’s fair that was expected that 40 million people would visit. This one was written with this album in mind as it has the right amount of classical and right amount of Scorps. Some nice acoustic guitar work and Klaus sounds really great. But it ain’t a metal song, it is a little cheesy, sugary sweet song which I guess it needed to be to appeal to more people for the EXPO. It is even filled with moments of children playing and then a children’s choir as well as an adult choir. I’m not sure what else I can say about it as there isn’t anything good left to say.

What works the best on here are the ballads. “Send Me An Angel” feels grand and epic as the classical music with the banging drums and horns really add to the drama and feel of the song. The acoustics and the flutes (or tiny wind instrument sounds) also feel right with the song. Klaus sings this with as a duet with Italian singer Zucchero and it really changes things as I really like Klaus’ vocals better and prefer to just hear him. I think the song would’ve been better with only Klaus as his vocals are so powerful on here and fit the style so well. The song is extended out longer than normal run time as most of the songs on here are whether necessary or not, most times not, but I get they wanted to add more orchestration to the songs.

Then we get a classical version of their famous ballad, “Wind of Change” and oh boy, I’m so excited as this is one of those songs I don’t care if I never hear again, but I have to if I’m going to do reviews of some of their albums (compilations and live ones at least). The opening orchestration starts off light and airy and then it gets bigger like you are soaring through the sky and then the band slowly comes in first with guitars and then Klaus singing. The song actually works really well with orchestration as it already had this huge feel to it. I like they kept the whistles since that is such a huge part of the song. Okay, I will admit that this song really works well in this environment…there…I said it.

Next up is where the album shines as they play a couple of instrumentals. First is “Crossfire” which has a Prologue of “Midnight in Moscow” and then is the instrumental song “Crossfire”. Now, this stuff I really love as they do a great job mixing the two genres. Some great guitar work from the boys and just all around badassery. Then they go in to the “Deadly Sting Suite” which is basically two instrumentals of “He’s a Woman, She’s a Man” and “Dynamite”. Again, this works brilliantly as it is pure metal and classical just going at it and tearing things up. These two might be my favorite parts of the album. A whole album of this would’ve been killer.

Then we get a cover song that was written by Diane Warren and sang originally by Tiffany. Yes, Tiffany. And it lost me already. The song is called “Here in My Heart” and has another guest vocalist by the name of Lyn Liechty. Yes, it is a ballad, how’d you guess. I will admit Klaus sounds fantastic, but the song is so dramatic and over-the-top and its a pop song. Plus, I don’t like the addition of another vocalist as I love Klaus and want only Klaus. Next…

We get another ballad with “Still Loving You” which opens with acoustic guitars and some strings then sees Klaus sing the first chorus. Nothing overly different yet and the horns and strings orchestra only add to the beauty of the song. When the song picks up, Klaus gets a little more aggressive and angry and the music gets more powerful and grand. This is another song that really works well in this format. But a great song is a great song.

Then it is time to rock with “Big City Nights” and it does just that right out of the gate, but when the vocals start you are startled a little as it isn’t Klaus. It is Scottish singer Ray Wilson from the band Stiltskin and he was in Genesis at one time as well. He isn’t Klaus, but it isn’t what you are expecting so it is quite a blow. I can’t say I like hearing it without Klaus so this is hard pass for me as I don’t like what they do with his vocals at all. It feels like karaoke.

The last tracks is “Lady Starlight” and has that middle eastern vibe to the song with the sitar played beautifully by Guenther Becker. Klaus is back on vocals thankfully. The song plays well here as the orchestration adds a little extra beauty to it and a nice way to end the album. Now, if you have the SACD version (which I don’t), you get a hidden track with the orchestration only version of “Wind of Change” and all is in 5.1 surround sound mix.

Yes, this concept has been played to death by rock bands as it seems every band does one. The Scorpions don’t add anything new to the idea and for the most part, I don’t find this that enjoyable of an album. The guest singers don’t match up to Klaus’ vocals and thought some of the ballads worked, not everything did. The harder songs for some reason didn’t sound as good. What did work were the two instrumentals as that was a perfect mix of the two genres as it gave us our heaviest moments it was also a freaking blast. For me, not something I’m going to pull out much, if at all. My Overall Score is a 2.5 out of 5.0 Stars as it was a mixed bag of success and failure.

NEXT UP: ACOUSTICA (2001)

THE SCORPIONS COLLECTION SERIES:

1. Lonesome Crow (1972)
2. Fly to the Rainbow (1974)
3. In Trance (1975)
4. Virgin Killer (1976)
5. Taken by Force (1977)
6. Tokyo Tapes (1978)
7. Lovedrive (1979)
8. Best of Scorpions (1979)
9. Animal Magnetism (1980)
10. Rock Galaxy (1980) – Bonus Edition
11. Blackout (1982)
12. Hot & Heavy (1982)
13. Love at First Sting (1984)
14. Still Loving You Maxi Single (1984)
15. Best of Scorpions Vol. 2 (1984)
16. Gold Ballads (1984)
17. World Wide Live (1985)
18. Savage Amusement (1988)
19. Rhythm of Love – Single (Box Set) (1988)
20. Best of Rockers ‘n’ Ballads (1989)
21. Crazy World (1990)
22. Crazy World – 4 Track From Crazy World Promo Vinyl (1990)
23. Tease Me Please Me Promo CD (1990)
24. Don’t Believe Her Promo CD (1990)
25. Send Me An Angle Promo CD (1991)
26. Face the Heat (1993)
27. Live Bites (1995)
28. Pure Instinct (1996)
29. Big City Nights (Compilation) (1998)
30. Eye II Eye (1999)
31. Moment of Glory (with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra) (2000)
32. Acoustica (2001)
33. Bad for Good: The Very Best Of Scorpions (2002)
34. Unbreakable (2004)
35. Humanity: Hour 1 (2007)
36. Sting in the Tail (2010)
37. Comeblack (2011)
38. MTV Unplugged – Live in Athens (2013)
39. Return to Forever (2015)
40. Rock Believer (2022)
41. The Albums Ranked Worst to First