For their 16th Studio album, Scorpions wanted to shake things up a bit. But before they could do that they needed to get a producer and that seemed like a daunting task. They had hoped to work with Dieter Dierks yet again, but that didn’t work out yet again due to contract issues. They brought a ton of producers to Germany to interview including Roy Thomas Baker, but the band wasn’t exactly pleased with those results. In the end they settled on two producers. They chose James Michael (lead singer of the band Sixx A.M.) and famed songwriter/producer Desmond Child. They each had their own specific expertise that was utilized on the production. James worked on the guitars, drums and bass while Desmond concentrated on the vocals.

So, Rudolf Schenker, Mathias Jabs, Pawel Maciwoda and James Kottak were in one studio with James while Klaus Meine was in another with Desmond. Desmond believes that if a singers vocals are in great shape, you will get a great performance so Desmond had Klaus basically take vocal lessons every day for an hour before they recorded the vocals. They brought in vocal coach to help Klaus warm up his vocals each and every day. The album is full of songwriters from outside the band as well, but the band still is on every song. You get Eric Bazilian (Hooters), Marty Frederiksen, Jason Paige, Russ Irwin, James Michael, Desmond Child and there are even more.

The band started recording in October 2006 and had about 30 songs and by the second recording process they had another 20 songs. The album was going to be a concept album that was developed by Desmond Child and futurist Liam Carl. It was based on a civil war between humans and robot, it is very apocalyptic in nature and at times very dark. Which is why a number of songs were thrown out because they were too dark. The album needed some more upbeat style songs and those were added, but they were all based around this concept and all tied together because the songs were about humanity. The album was called ‘Humanity: Hour 1′ and was released on May 14, 2007 in Europe and August 28, 2007 in the U.S. We were introduced to a very modern sounding Scorpions album, but at the same time, it still sounded like the Scorpions. All I know is that when I heard this album, I was back on board the Scorpions’ train and been riding it since. Sit back and get ready for the best Scorpions album in decades!!

A woman robot welcomes us to Humanity: Hour 1 as “Hour 1” is the start of the war. The earth-shattering drum beats, the Sabbathy guitar riffs and then Klaus comes in and sounds amazing as he introduces the reasons behind our downfall and that humans tried to play God with their machines causing all the problems we are now facing. It is a heavy, intense and rocking opening track. Very modern and very brutal and a solo that will rip your face off as the battle rages on. A killer opening track and one of their most aggressive tracks…ever!! And what is even cooler about this one is that the guest guitarist is none other than the mighty John 5.

“The Game of Life” keeps the energy going and this time around we get a modern sounding, almost “Rock You Like a Hurricane” riff which makes the song feel a little familiar. Klaus, again, sounds amazing here and maybe those vocal lessons really did bring the best of him out. It is amore upbeat sounding track that was originally way too dark, Desmond worked on it and made it a little more upbeat and we have the final results which is completely stellar. The song is full of great riffs, great groove and great melodies. How this wasn’t a hit, I have no idea.

The album goes back to a darker tone with “We Were Born to Fly”. A slowed down rocker that is so dramatic and intense it really pulls you in. The chorus is catchy as hell and the homerun here is definitely Klaus as this is a great showcase of his vocals. I love how it builds during the verses to give us the big payoff of the chorus. The song seems to talk about how humans were born to soar and reach great heights, it was our purpose, our goal, but it went too far and here we are in war. Pretty cool.

The first ballad is “The Future Never Dies” with its Queen-like piano accompaniment, dramatic vocals from Klaus and its dramatic, almost theatrical flair to the overall song thanks to the exquisite orchestration. If you going to borrow a style from a band, Queen is a good one. It feels like a rock opera with this one, yet, it is still a wonderful and beautiful ballad by a band that knows how to do them.

“Your Lovin’ Me To Death” is pure classic Scorpions in both sound and lyrics. The riffs are all Scorpions and that chorus is what you’ve come to expect as its simple and catchy. The guitar playing is the highlight here as I don’t like much else. It feels a little out of place, but still has some moments.

And then we get the closest thing to a stadium anthem with the rocker “321” as you want to get up and scream out the chorus with the band. It starts with a crunchy, distorted, dropped down tuning making it hard and heavy. Then it goes in to that chorus that gets you moving and turns it in to a singalong. I hope you are ready to rock because this one calls you to do just that. The female, robot voice is back with a countdown before Klaus takes over at 3-2-1.

After the heaviness of “321”, we get another ballad and this is the acoustic, “Love Will Keep Us Alive”. This part acoustic, part electric song slows things down as Klaus sings softly and full of tender, heartfelt vocals. It is a little cheesy for sure, but still a pleasant enough song and the chorus is good as Desmond has a way of writing catchy songs.

“We Will Rise Again” gives us a young, fresh sounding Scorpions. The song is heavy at times with more down tuning and it also brings us some great melodies and damn that chorus is such a great hook as it will snag on and won’t let go. I love the dramatic, softer verses and the more powerful, soaring choruses. It is one of my favorites on the album as it doesn’t hold back and delivers everything you want in a great rock track. The song is what this album is about for me as the Scorpions are rising again and are back with still something to say.

“Your Last Song” is mostly an acoustic ballad, that feels forced and cliched. It also feels out of place and does flow well with the rest of the album. Plus, three ballads on an album is a lot in my book. The most skippable song on the album in my book and the album wouldn’t be lesser without it.

Then we get another softer track with “Love is War” and this one feels like a fresh sounding, younger band. The song is quite beautiful, not sure it is a ballad or just a slower track, but whatever it is, it flows perfectly. A modern sounding track, that seems so personable to Klaus as he nails everything about it. A time and when lyrics and music mesh together as all songs should and throw in a solo that fits perfectly as well.

Another favorite of mine from the album is “The Cross” which is actually a duet with Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan. It opens with some heavy guitar riffs that really pack a punch and drive the intensity of the track. The song feels epic, grand and larger than life. The chorus is contagious as it rocks out and contains the coolest riff. Klaus vocals soar and the band delivers one of their finest performances on the whole album and an album full of great performances. Billy’s contribution, although so small is as impactful and followed by Klaus it is a solid fit. The song gets bombastic and keeps building to greater and greater heights. They could end right here and I’d be thrilled.

But they don’t, they throw on one more song and you get the amazingly, hauntingly stunning “Humanity”. Filled with mesmerizing orchestration, kick ass guitars and a bridge/chorus that rises above all and delivers one of the most stellar closers the band has ever produced. Yes, might be as good as “Still Loving You” as a closer. Klaus puts on a masterclass with his vocals as they mesh seamlessly with the rhythm section of the band. Now, that is the way you close an album. Dman!!! The song ends with a carnival style music outro that sounds a little celebratory like the war is over and humanity might have won!

Now, the version I have actually has a bonus track and it is from the Best Buy Edition of the album. The song is called “Cold” and I see why it was left of the album as the sound doesn’t quite gel with the overall tone of the album, however, on its own it is a killer track. A dark rocker with some great drum work, blistering riffs and I think Klaus sounds different here, but in a good way. A nice change of pace and a great bonus track.

Track Listing:

1. Hour 1 – Keeper
2. The Game of Life – Keeper
3. The Future Never Dies – Keeper
4. You’re Lovin’ Me to Death – Keeper (1/2 Point)
5. 321 – Keeper
6. Love Will Keep Us Alive – Keeper (1/2 Point)
7. We Will Rise Again – Keeper
8. Your Last Song – Delete
9. Love is War – Keeper
10. The Cross – Keeper
11. Humanity – Keeper
12. Cold (Bonus Track) – Keeper

The Track Score is 10 out of 12 or 83%. I don’t know if I ever expected an album like this from the Scorpions, but man did they blow my mind with this one.  This is one of those albums for me that connected so well and as a result, I pull it out frequently to listen to it.  The production is top notch thanks to James Michael and yes, even Desmond Child.  The band sounds, fresh, hungry and Klaus’ vocals are some of his best ever.  From the opening of “Hour 1” to “The Game of Life”, “321”, “The Cross” and the closer of “Humanity”, you get some of their finest work in over 15 years. The band was on fire with this one and proved they still have a lot to give.  Yes, there is still gas in the tank with these guys. My Overall Score is a 4.5 out of 5.0 Stars!!  I think I’m going to go listen to this one again.  Thanks for stopping by!

NEXT UP: ‘STING IN THE TAIL’ (2010)

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