Scorpions - Blackout (1982) [FLAC] {Japan PHCR-6008 Stay Gold}

Scorpions - Blackout
{Japan PHCR-6008 1st Press Stay Gold Series}

Blackout is the eighth studio album by the German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1982.

Lead vocalist Klaus Meine had to undergo surgery on his vocal cords during the writing of the album and it was uncertain whether he would be able to record it. Demos of the material were recorded with Don Dokken as vocalist; however none of those recordings are featured on the album.

Rudolf Schenker could not choose between his guitar solos on "China White", so the US and European releases differed in this small detail.

A self-portrait of artist Gottfried Helnwein is featured on the cover of the album. Rudolf Schenker portrays this character in the "No One Like You" music video.
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All Music Review by Barry Weber

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.

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German heavy metal marauders Scorpions recorded seven studio records before breaking in to the U.S. market in 1982 with Blackout. The album became the group's first platinum disc in the U.S., and the dynamic single "No One Like You" became a staple of album rock radio. While the Scorpions had created powerful anthems and epic rockers in the past, Blackout mixed the ingredients just right. The title track was an endorphin rush of fast-riffing guitars and electrified, high-pitched vocals that culminated with the sound of shattering glass. "Can't Live Without You" was a powerful melange of flash, firepower, and pure melody, and the slow, surging "China White" sounded like a psychedelic interpretation of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir." After years of ignored visas, Scorpions had finally arrived in America. --Jon Wiederhorn

U.S. Charts #10, The RIAA certified Blackout as Gold on June 24, 1982 and Platinum on March 8, 1984.

1982 No One Like You Billboard Hot 100 #64
1982 No One Like You Mainstream Rock Chart #1
1982 Can't Live Without You, France Top Singles #17
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Released April 10, 1982
Recorded 1981
Genre Hard rock, heavy metal
Length 36:44
Label Polygram, Mercury (US) (Japan), EMI (Europe),

Track listing

1. "Blackout" (Schenker/Meine/Rarebell/Kittelsen) – 3:49
2. "Can't Live Without You" (Schenker/Meine) – 3:47
3. "No One Like You" (Schenker/Meine) – 3:57
4. "You Give Me All I Need" (Schenker/Rarebell) – 3:38
5. "Now!" (Schenker/Meine/Rarebell) – 2:36
6. "Dynamite" (Schenker/Meine/Rarebell) – 4:12
7. "Arizona" (Schenker/Rarebell) – 3:56
8. "China White" (Schenker/Meine) – 6:59
9. "When the Smoke Is Going Down" (Schenker/Meine) – 3:50

Total 36:44

Personnel

* Klaus Meine - Lead vocals
* Matthias Jabs - Lead guitar, Backing vocals
* Rudolf Schenker - Rhythm guitar, Backing vocals
* Francis Buchholz - Bass, Backing vocals
* Herman Rarebell - Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals
* Produced by Dieter Dierks for Breeze-Music

Scorpions - Blackout (1982) [FLAC] {Japan PHCR-6008 Stay Gold}