Rumour has it that when Klaus and Co first heard the playback of this album they immediately decided it (their 17^th studio album) would be their last. Now you could take that to mean one of two things, either it was that good they simply wanted to retire on a high, or that bad that they simply thought, "fuck it". 

Well, being something of a closet fan of the 'Teutonic Terrors', I am pleased to report that 'Sting In The Tail' is quite possibly the best album the band has produced since their mid Eighties heyday.

Bringing back Swedish writer /producers Mikael 'Nord' Andersson and Martin Hansen (of Rasmus fame) who last wrote with the band on their less than awesome 'Humanity Hour 1' album could have been considered a risky move, but as soon as the guitar lick to 'Raised On Rock' kicks in it's immediately obvious this is Scorpions in full Human Pyramid Mode. This lead track and first single from the album will bear some obvious comparisons with the classic 'Rock You Like A Hurricane' and could see the band garner their first US chart interest in a while, as it's a pretty damn catchy number. 

Following quickly on you have my two favourite tracks here with the glam stomp of 'Sting In The Tail' and the almost 'Zoo'-ish 'Slave Me' - as heavy as the band has been during some of its more experimental moments on recent albums, but this time around keeping the chorus at the heart of the song.

'The Good Die Young' is the first of four ballads on the album and is by far the pick of the bunch (it also features a guest vocal from ex-Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen), having more in common with the band's great power ballads of old like 'No One Like You' than anything to do with 'Gonky Park'.

The rest of the album is pretty much up tempo stuff with 'No Limit', 'Rock Zone', 'Turn You On', and 'Spirit Of Rock' all having that classic Scorpions stadium sound built on catchy choruses and instantly hummable tunes. 

The lyrics may be all about reaching for skies, and flames still burning, but at least Klaus's as always-dubious English pronunciation has you as a listener permanently on your toes. This is especially true at the beginning of the pounding anthem 'Let's Rock' where the opening lines had my jaw hitting the ground wondering if he really did just say what I thought he said.  "Well you listen and you decide".

My only criticism of 'Sting In The Tail' is that of the four ballads on here one or two ('Lorelei' and 'Sly' being my least favourite) could have very easily have been replaced with some more rockers. And yeah I do know they released an album called 'Best of Rockers and Ballads' but trust me we are not talking 'Lady Starlight' or 'Holiday' here.

As an epitaph to the Scorpions forty odd year career 'Sting In The Tail' does exactly what its title states. A welcome return to on stage band pile-ons and ludicrous arachnid drum risers must surely await us all as the band returns to venues worldwide this summer on their 'Get Your Sting And Blackout' tour.

http://www.myspace.com/officialscorpions