Weren’t these guys supposed to retire? Apparently not as the Scorpions celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2015, and just hired former Motörhead skinman Mikkey Dee to replace longtime drummer James Kottack. We can only assume that the retirement is off and all systems are a go. Meanwhile, stepping back to 2012, a homecoming concert at the Olympiahalle in Munich on December 17 to cap off the Sting In The Tale world tour was filmed and released in Europe cinemas as Forever And A Sunday in 2015. Eagle Rock Entertainment has now reissued it on DVD and Blu-ray Disc as Live In Munich 2012.
There’s no denying the Scorpions’ impact on hard rock, and their international appeal in places like the Far East, Eastern Europe and Russia. Playing their home turf in Germany, where they weren’t always popular, is what makes this film special. Naturally, they played all the songs that made them huge — “Wind Of Change,” “Rock You Like A Hurricane,” “Send Me An Angel,” “Still Loving You,” “The Zoo,” “Big City Nights,” “No One Like You,” you name it.
Watching it all in glorious high-definition, there’s no question Klaus Meine can still sing and carry a tune, and Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs supply the proper balance of guitar work. Kottak was a wild man, but kept the tubs spinning (he gets a big solo spot in the film) and helped with backing vocals. Newest member, bassist Pawel Maciwoda, does a great job of fitting in without disrupting the focus on Mein, Schenker and Jabs.
Live In Munich 2012 captures the band at their hardest on crunchy rockers like “Raised On Rock” and “Blackout,” and at their softest with an acoustic sing-along on “Holiday.” You add in the spectacle of the lighting, staging, pyro, choreography and video, and it’s no wonder their fan base is so vast. That’s always been the Scorpions’ credo — try anything, no matter how it good or bad it turns out. In this case, it’s better than good. And four years later, the Scorpions carry on with no end in sight.
~ Shawn Perry
