Blackout [50th Anniversary Edition] [CD/DVD]

Scorpions: Klaus Meine (vocals); Rudolf Schenker (acoustic & electric guitars, background vocals); Matthias Jabs (acoustic & electric guitars); Francis Buchholz (bass); Herman Rarebell (drums).
Recorded at Villa San Pecaire, St. Jacques-Grasse, France and Dierks Studios, Cologne, Germany.
Blackout was Scorpions' first highly 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 been called Scorpions' best record ever, and that statement is not unjust. "No One Like You" gave the band its first chart hit. ~ Barry Weber