Sting in the Tail

Scorpions | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Universal
• ASIN: B0036XN2L2
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,664 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist

"While we were working on our album these past few months, we could literally feel how powerful and creative our work was - and how much fun we were still having, in the process," said KLAUS MEINE. "We want to end the SCORPION's extraordinary career on a high note. We are extremely gracious for the fact that we still have the same passion for music we've always had since the beginning."

RUDOLF SCHENKER stated, "The three year tour through five continents is meant to be a huge blowout, where we can party with our fans and say good-bye." "When I started out, I had a lot of wishes," SCHENKER noted. "It's crazy, I achieved more than I ever even dreamed of."

Product Description

After the release of their next album, STING IN THE TAIL, and a three-year mammoth tour, which will take them across five continents, one of the most successful rock bands in the world, SCORPIONS, will be ending their career. During their 40-year career, SCORPIONS sold over 100 million albums and received many awards, such as the World Music Award and several Echos--the German equivalent to the Grammy. Today they still play sold-out venues around the world. Not long ago, 152,000 South Americans came to 15 SCORPIONS concerts between Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City. Their song "Wind of Change" has become an anthem for the fall of the Iron Curtain. The tour will launch in the band's home country Germany in May. After that, they will be touring through North America before they continue their journey through five other continents until 2012.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A worthy conclusion to a fantastic career, March 25, 2010

By 

J. Loudon (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sting in the Tail (Audio CD)

Originally formed in Hanover, Germany in the late 60s, Scorpions have over 40 years of experience as a band with some incredible hits under their belts. With their first album dropping in 1972, Scorpions are now in their 38th year of recorded material and it is reported to be their last. As the first track, "Raised on Rock," opens, it is easy to point out similarities to one of their biggest hits, 1984's "Rock You Like a Hurricane." Don't think that's because Klaus Maine, Rudolph Schenker, Matthias Jabs, and company have run out of ideas; on the contrary.

They simply tip their hats to the sounds that made them rock royalty while pursuing a conclusion worthy of their storied career. With Sting in the Tail, Scorpions have released an album of classic rock that stands with some of their finest releases of the past.

Although hints of their hits can be heard throughout, Sting in the Tail does an excellent job of combining the old with the new. The production is crisp and clean with an emphasis clearly placed on modern compression techniques that maximize the volume potential of the band, but the music still has that classic vibe that made them famous to begin with.

Meine's vocals are shockingly present and don't appear to have lost any of their hard hitting ability. Singers typically show their age on ballads, but when Scorpions slow things down on "Lorelei" and "Sly," Meine's voice soars over the mix without ever sacrificing a high note. Both power ballads utilize the same gradual build in dynamic throughout that is so characteristic of their sound in the eighties. "Lorelei" even makes use of the classic call and response harmonization on the chorus fans of the classic rock genre adore.

Scorpions continue to be the masters of a decade that has long since passed. For that reason, it is unlikely Sting in the Tail will make much noise on the charts, but for longtime fans, this will be the goodbye they have always craved. For those new to Scorpions, I highly recommend giving Love at First Sting a play through first, but Sting in the Tail is a worthy competitor.

Similar Artists: Quiet Riot, Kiss

Track Suggestion: "Raised on Rock"

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Way to End an Illustrious Career, March 24, 2010

By 

Florend Krasniqi "Florend" (Prishtina, Kosova) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sting in the Tail (Audio CD)

If the "Sting in the Tail" is really going to be the Scorps's final album, then after 40 years of action they will leave the world of music on a very high note, leaving a great legacy behind them that not too many musicians can match. Personnaly, after listening the album, I refuse to accept that they are ending their illustrious career. Scorps are back to their best, delivering arguably the best record since the Crazy World record. There is still so much potential in this band, that I am sad to see them leave. I have been a fan of Scorps for the last 20 years, and I have to say that Scorpions sound as fresh as 20 years ago. The "Sting in The Tail" has that much liked 80's and early 90's sound, when the Scorps were at the top of the rock music scene. Guitar playing is strong and Klaus Meine's voice is as clear as it was during the 80's records. My personal favorities from the new album are:
"Raised on Rock", which is going to become the next concert favorite and is similar to the "Tease Me, Please Me", "Sting in the Tail", which features great guitar riff and has elements of the early 80's records, "The Good Die Young", "Turn you on" and "No Limit" - the heaviest song of the record which brings the sound of the Humanity - Hour 1 record. Now the ballads. All three ballads in this record are absolutely breathtaking. They will take you on the journey into the 80's. Lorelei is a song which could be easily included into any of the 80's albums with beautiful lyrics. SLY, is the Still Loving You of the 21 century and the Best is Yet to Come will remind you of Send Me An Angel - a great way to end the album.
I strongly recommend the album to Hard Rock fans who miss the rock sound of the golden rock era of the 80's. Thank You Scorpions for the music you have delivered to us for 40 years. We will miss you.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Micro Music Review, March 23, 2010

By 

Audiostar (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sting in the Tail (Audio CD)

As a farewell, "Sting in the Tail" is an album the Scorpions and their fans can be proud of. One almost does a double take upon hearing the opening bars of "Raised on Rock". Rudolph Schenker's opening power chord riff and guitar tone sound like something from 1979's Lovedrive. When he's joined by Matthias Jabs on their trademark twin-guitar attack, and by Klaus Meine's instantly recognizable vocal, the effect is complete, the sound familiar, but fresh and not nostalgic.

The songwriting here is characteristically tight, the arrangements and bridges are sophisticated, the production doesn't give in to modern clichés, and the band comes off sounding like a renewed version of themselves.

The band that vaulted to the top of the 1980s metal scene with its balance of rock anthems and infectious power ballads have decided to give it one last blast at what they do best. "Sting in the Tail" is reported to be the final Scorpions studio release. After the three-year mammoth tour, which will take them across five continents, one of the most successful rock bands in the world, will be ending their classic career that spanned over 4 decades.