They Surely Have Got Some Gas Left in the Tank - A Review of Scorpions' Rock Believer

A whopping fifty-eight years after its foundation and twelve years after the band had announced plans to retire, German hard rock legends Scorpions deliver one of their strongest records in several decades with twentieth studio album Rock Believer. The quintet has recently been joining forces with former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee who has brought a healthy dose of energy to the veterans.

Rock Believer sounds timeless with its excellent organic production that makes the five gentlemen of which some are in their mid-seventies sound like a group of hungry youngsters. Appropriately titled opening anthem ''Gas in the Tank'' runs you over like a wrecking ball and only leaves broken bones behind. The song opens with sound samples of alarm sirens before passionately discordant guitar sounds join that are soon completed by vibrant bass guitar sounds, dynamic drum patterns, youthful lead vocals and passioante backing vocals leading to a catchy chorus. The song gets to the point in less than four minutes and is the band's greatest opening song in many decades as it would also make for a wonderful concert opener.

The band keeps the momentum with lively, playful and tight ''Roots in My Boots'' that would also work splendidly in the context of a vibrant concert once the pandemic has slowed down to allow the veterans to perform without any restraints and risks.

The powerful opening trio is completed with the energetic, gritty and uplifting ''Knock 'em Dead'' that also gets to the point in four minutes and makes you want to bang your head, raise your fist and sing along from start to finish.

If you expect the band to break down, include a filler or slow things down at a certain point, you are mistaken. The band might be known for its popular soft ballads but this is a vibrant hard rock record with quite a few dynamic surprises. They include cool cowbell sounds in titular anthem ''Rock Believer'', atmospheric doom metal vibes in plodding grower ''Seventh Sun'' and particularly tight musicianship in ''Peacemaker'' that clocks in under three minutes and takes no prisoners.

The limited edition is also particularly interesting with four additional new songs and an acoustic version of the record's mellowest tune. ''When Tomorrow Comes'' includes some playful vocal effects and particularly catchy backing vocals that make for a memorable stomper that other bands would crave to select as lead single. ''Unleash the Beast'' features guitar play that reminds of nomadic string instruments that give the eerie tune a completely unusual folk rock vibe as the band covers completely new ground.

I didn't expect much from Scorpions' twentieth studio record Rock Believer but it turns out to be one of the band's very best albums. This release is energetic, playful and tight as the chemistry between the five musicians seems to be excellent. If this album ended up being the band's final studio record, it would end the group's career on a particularly high level. However, the quintet sounds so fresh, hungry and juvenile that it would be a shame if the German hard rock legends didn't release at least one more effort. This album should make it onto numerous lists for greatest records of the year and underlines the band's stunnning creativity, influence and longevity.

Final Rating: 90%