Rock Believer
| Scorpions
Rock Believer
Rock Believer is the nineteenth studio album by German rock band Scorpions, released on 22 February 2022 in the United Kingdom and 25 February elsewhere. This is the band's first studio album with drummer Mikkey Dee, who replaced James Kottak in 2016, and their first studio album in seven years since Return to Forever (2015), making it the longest gap between studio albums. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Sonic Perspectives
Now let’s be clear. There’s nothing ground breaking here, but exactly that’s why it works. Scorpions seemed to have identified what made them their best, and they’re leaning into it hard on this release. If “Rock Believer” is the final contribution to their catalog, they’re going out with fists in the air, and a nod and wink to the fans. And I’m happy for them.
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Louder
Scorpions' formula remains gleefully intact on the defiant Rock Believer.
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Your Last Rites
Rock Believer is the best Scorpions record in at least 30 years. It isn’t perfect, nor is it likely to suddenly vault them back to superstardom in a very different rock and music business landscape, but considering how much of their later studio output just seemed like an excuse to get back on the road, it has to be considered at least a moderate triumph.
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The Rockpit
We close out what is actually a rather fine album with the mid tempo wail of ‘Crossing Borders’ and an acoustic take on teh one ballad here ‘When You Know (Where You Come From) (Acoustic Version)’ which as you might expect stacks up rather well. If this is the final curtain call and it does end up being the last Scorpions album, they did it rather well.
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AllMusic
Never ones to dabble in irony or nuance, the Scorpions have always left little to the imagination – back in the group's heyday, Klaus Meine's radio spots always ended with "lookout (insert city here), we're gonna sting ya!". Still, in an age awash in misinformation and cultural bemusement, hearing a group of septuagenarians preach the undemanding gospel of rock & roll feels downright therapeutic.
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HeadBangers Lifestyle
It just seems to me that ‘Rock Believer’ could have done with a few songs less although there are without any shadow of a doubt enough killers there to pull the album towards an very acceptable level. And let us also be realistic and acknowledge that the heyday of the band was in the late seventies and eighties with albums like ‘Blackout’ and ‘Lovedrive’ as most remarkable releases. Everything after that was good but not of or on the same level. That is also the case here.
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My Global Mind
‘Rock Believer’ is the best Scorpions album in years. The German metal pioneers go back to their roots when it comes to the sound of the album and at the same time unveil a freshness and dynamic that positively surprises. Everybody that lost their passion for Scorpions music after the release of ‘Love at First Sting’ should give this album a chance. It is worth it.
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antiMusic
By now Scorpions fans know what the band sounds like and they never stray too far from their signature sounds; that's why the band continues to rack up rock believers of all ages.
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KNAC
Either way, it all adds up to Rock Believer being as complete and resonant an album as SCORPIONS have delivered in a very long time.
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The Rocktologist
Apparently, there’s plenty of juice left in the Scorpions tank, while the band’s songwriting has only improved as opposed to being stuck in the quagmire of hard rock conformism. For these reasons, the quality rarely dips throughout the set. “Roots In My blood” is a definition of how a powerhouse rocker should sound, “Hot and Cold” is plain nasty, and “When I Lay My Bones to Rest” an adrenaline anthem pierced with a nifty chorus. About those meeker moments, power ballads we used to call them, “When You Know (Where You Come From)” tickles that spot to, albeit in a somewhat unremarkable vein. Ultimately, it’s the brawny numbers that make “Rock Believer” a truly entertaining hard rock platter.
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Metal Temple
Like many classic bands, SCORPIONS do not stray too far from the sound that made them famous. We would wonder what in the world they were doing if they did try something new this far into their storied career. We love SCORPIONS for their signature sound. I for one hope they never change and never stop. Going on decade number six, they are as strong now as they ever were. Please keep doing exactly what you are doing, gentlemen!
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BraveWords
After the so-so Return To Forever, it is safe to assume many lost in faith in the Germans’ ability to crank out a high-caliber collection of songs. After this fresh sting, many will be Believers again.
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Metal Planet Music
Rock Believer’ may not have the ‘forks in your eyes’ power of ‘Blackout’ or the ‘titillation of your ears’ given by ‘Lovedrive’, but, get your First Aid kits ready because this Scorpions album has got a sting.
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Sounderground
"Rock Believer" serves as a comforting reminder that Scorpions are still capable of generating catchy rock anthems in their later years.
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