Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

Rich’s Rapidfire Recommendations – bite-sized metal morsels to let you know about albums that have grabbed Rich Davenport by the ears, that we hope you’ll enjoy too! ROCK ON!

Band: HERMAN RAREBELL & FRIENDS
Album: “Herman’s Scorpions Songs”
Release date: November 7, 2014
Label: Solid Rockhouse Records

Track listing:

01. Rock Of You Like A Hurricane (Bobby Kimball of TOTO)
02. Passion Rules The Game (John Parr)
03. Loving You Sunday Morning (Michael Voss of MAD MAX)
04. Is There Anybody There? (Alex Ligertwood of SANTANA)
05. You Give Me All I Need (Don Dokken of DOKKEN)
06. Make It Real (Doogie White of RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER)
07. Dynamite (Johnny Gioeli of AXEL RUDI PELL)
08. Arizona (Thomas Perry)
09. Love Is Blind (Paul Shortino of QUIET RIOT)
10. Don’t Make No Promises (Jack Russell of GREAT WHITE)
11. Falling In Love (Gary Barden of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP)
12. Another Piece Of Meat (Tony Martin of BLACK SABBATH)
13. Animal Magnetism (Michael Nagy)
14. Let It Shine (Al Crespo of UNBREAKABLE)

HERMAN RAREBELL AND FRIENDS – HERMAN’S SCORPIONS SONGS. The short version of this review would be, quite simply, “If you’re a Scorpions fan, don’t miss this album!” As fans will know, Herman Rarebell was an integral part of the songwriting team responsible for many of the Scorpions hits and classic album tracks, alongside Rudolf Schenker and Klaus Meine.

This release sees Herman celebrating a fine selection of those songs, joined by a cast of his Hard Rock peers, including Doogie White (Herman’s current bandmate in Michael Schenker’s Temple of Rock), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Don Dokken (who previously filled in for an ailing Klaus Meine during the recording of the Scorps classic “Blackout” album), Tony Martin (Black Sabbath), Gary Barden (MSG), John Parr, Jack Russell (Great White) and Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot).

Each singer puts an individual stamp on the material, making for a refreshing blast though favourites like “Rock You Like A Hurricane”, “Dynamite”, “Make It Real”, “Another Piece of Meat”, and deeper cuts such as “Arizona”, “You Give Me All I Need”, and “Is There Anybody There”, the latter given an especially fine makeover by former Santana vocalist Alex Ligertwood.

Herman himself drives the songs along with his trademark hard-hitting style, and can still crank up the double-bass drum pace, as he demonstrates on “Dynamite”. He’s joined in the musical engine room by bassist Dario Sexas, and Mad Max vocalist / guitarist Michael Voss, who gives a stellar performance in cranking out those Rudolf Schenker riffs , and adding his own touches to the familiar guitar solos originally laid down by Matthias Jabs and Michael Schenker.

The band also follow the initiative of the vocalists, in making subtle tweaks with regard to the song arrangements here and there, without drifting too far. This album is a great way to enjoy some old favourites from a different perspective. There’s also the added bonus of a brand new song, “Let It Shine”, featuring vocals from Al Crespo of up and coming German rockers Unbreakable, and intended by Herman as a follow up to “Wind of Change”