Blackout (CD - 1982)

Scorpions: Klaus Meine (vocals); Rudolf Schenker (acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals); Matthias Jabs (acoustic & electric guitars); Francis Buchholz (bass); Herman Rarebell (drums).

Recorded at Villa San Pecaire, St. Jacques-Grasse, France and Dierks Studios, Cologne, Germany.

Personnel: Rudolf Schenker (vocals, guitar, 12-string guitar, background vocals); Klaus Meine (vocals); Matthias Jobs, Matthias Jabs (guitar); Herman Rarebell (drums).

Audio Mixer: Gerd Rautenbach.

Recording information: Dierks Studios, Cologne, Germany; Villa San Pecaire, St. Jacques-Grasse, Southern France.

Blackout was the Scorpions' first majorly successful album, due to its clever balance of pop/rock (the title track), power ballads ("When the Smoke Is Going Down"), and catchy heavy metal ("Dynamite," "No One Like You"). Vocalist Klaus Meine had a throat operation prior to the record's release, and surprisingly, his voice sounds more melodic and lively than ever. The rest of the band sounds great as well, and the album is highlighted by the fast-paced performances of guitarists Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs. Blackout has arguably been called the Scorpions' best record ever, and that statement is not unjust -- it has more energy than anything else they have ever released. ~ Barry Weber minimize