Humanity: Hour 1 (CD - 2007)

Scorpions: Klaus Meine (vocals); Rudolf Schenker, Matthias Jabs (guitar); Paul Maciwoda (bass guitar); James Kottak (drums).

Casual observers might have lost track of German metal crossover kings the Scorpions after their 1980s heyday, but the faithful know that the band has been holding steady throughout the decades. Their metallic crunch has been leavened somewhat over the years; HUMANITY: HOUR 1finds the Teutonic terrors collaborating with mainstream pop hitmakers Desmond Child and Eric Bazilian, and laying on the big pop choruses. For all the lighters-aloft power balladry and acoustic guitar reveries, though, the Scorpions still wield the same unerring knack for a gargantuan riff and an inescapable hook. Those with a passion for the more melodic side of '80s metal should feel right at home here. minimize