Scorpions – ‘From The First Sting’ (2025) – Album Review (The Scorpions Collection Series)

60 Years! Think about how long that number is. That is how long Scorpions have been a band and a band that is still going strong. Quite impressive! To celebrate that length of services, they have released a new greatest hits compilation that goes all the back to the first sting and one of the most recent stings. Musically, the band has released material since 1972 which isn’t quite 60 years, but the essence of the band goes back to 1965 when it was started by Rudolf Schenker. Their first album, ‘Lonesome Dove’, came out in 1972 and their last studio album so far, ‘Rock Believer’ came out in 2022. And they have a brand new live album coming out on December 5, 2025 called ‘Coming Home Live’ that was recorded on July 5, 2025. Can’t wait.

This compilation came out on October 17, 2025 and I have both the CD version and the Amazon Exclusive Gold Vinyl which also comes with a Scorpions Patch. The album on vinyl is a 2 LP set while the CD is only a single disc. Hard to put 60 years of songs on a single disc that only has 16 tracks. I think a 2 CD or even 3 CD set would’ve been a more appropriate and better way to celebrate 60 years. 60 years, did I mention that yet? They do cover some great songs on here and we even get 2 previously unreleased versions of a couple of their songs so that is cool at least.

As far as band members go, there have been quite a few, but Rudolf Schenker has been in there since the beginning, singer Klaus Meine since 1969 and Mathias Jabs joined around 1978. Currently, there is Pawel Maciwoda who has been on bass since 2004 and the most recent member is the great Mikkey Dee on drums who joined back in 2016. Throughout the years we have seen some great players like Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Francis Buchholz, Herman Rarebell and James Kottak to only name a few. What a career these guys have had as they have survived through every genre change that music business has seen and each time they stayed true to themselves and survived. They are all legends and one of my favorite bands. Let’s get to the music.

The album starts off with one of their most interesting songs off 1972’s ‘Lonesome Dove’ album…“In Search of the Peace of Mind”. A strange opening interlude that doesn’t feel like it is part of the rest of the song before the song truly opens with Klaus softly singing accompanied by a great bass line. Some great guitar riffs thrown in for good measure The song fades away and you think it is over, but oh no, it is just beginning. The tempo builds as does Klaus’s vocals and what starts out as ballad turns in to a bout with insanity. Klaus screams as in mental anguish and the music starts to match and then it ends in a slow fade.

One of the first previously unreleased versions of a song we get is an excellent live version of ‘Fly To The Rainbow‘s’ “This Is My Song“, from Germany’s Rock & Pop 1973. Even live this feels like a really good pop song more than a rock song, but the band is really letting loose as the drums and the dual guitar are really smoking and Klaus sounds amazing! Great version of the song.

Then we get another ‘Fly to the Rainbow’ track with “Speedy’s Coming”. Uli Jon Roth makes it known that he is the force behind their sound as his playing is exceptional. Klaus wails the vocals and makes me feel right at home as it his voice that for me screams Scorpions. The drumming by Jurgen and Francis’ bass are a lethal combo and throw in Rudolf’s rhythm guitar and you have a hell of a package.

Then we get a ballad with “In Trance” which is also the title of their 1975 album. It is a song like none other for the band, up to this point. It is dark, the guitars sound a little distorted and there is a somberness to it yet Klaus’ vocals are crisp and clean as they are so powerful here and resonate so much emotion. We would grow to expect ballads in the future but this was so unexpected at this time.

From 1976’s ‘Virgin Killer’, we get “Pictured Life” which is a classic sounding Scorpions’ song which we have grown to expect and love. The chorus has a great hook, we get those killer riffs and Roth lays down a splendid solo…everything you expect. Klaus Meine might not be the best vocalist in the world, but his unusual pronunciations and that scratchiness vocal is what we really need. What he lacks in power, he makes up for in tone. It isn’t the most powerful opening they’ve ever done, but it is pure Scorpions.

“The Sails of Charon” is up next and is from the 1977 album ‘Taken By Force’. The song is over 5 minutes, however, most versions of this song are edited down to 4:24 with the wind-like sound effects at the beginning and end edited out. This was not done here…full album version. This song was penned by Roth and is a major showcase of his talent. The opening guitar solo is stupendous and has a great driving rhythm by Schenker. The Sabbathy type lyrics and Klaus’ eerie vocal approach is also fantastic. A totally kick-ass song.

“Top of the Bill” is a live version from 1978’s ‘Tokyo Tapes’. It is a rocking track and sees the band simply killing it live. They even give Herman a chance to shine as he gets a solo break here and he’s incredible and shows he was a great addition to the band around this time.

Then we get the another ballad with “Always Somewhere” which is from the 1979 album ‘Lovedrive’. It is a sharp contrast to the previous track. This time around, everything is soft and gentle to the touch. Klaus almost whispers at times and at times he almost screams the chorus but filled with tenderness. The chorus might be a little cheesy, but it is very contagious and inviting. On the solo this time around is Mathias.

The most interesting song from 1980’s ‘Animal Magnetism’ is definitely “The Zoo” and it is a pure classic Scorpions track. It has rip-roaring riffs along with pulse pounding percussion and then that groove chugs along like a run away locomotive. Klaus delivers one of his finest vocal performances with some great inflections in his delivery. It is a pure masterpiece of a track and is like nothing else on the album. It sweeps you up in the emotion and when that chorus hits, it bores in to your ears like a sweet ear candy and you can’t help but get it stuck in your head. And it has some Frampton Talk Box on the guitar and man, I’m all in at this point.

Then we get one of the best songs ever by the band, “No One Like You” from their stellar album from 1982, ‘Blackout’. The band’s first #1 in the U.S. on the Mainstream Rock Tracks. The song is legendary. A power ballad like no other. With strong guitar playing by both Jabs and Schenker again (how many times can you say that…never enough). A most impressive opening riff and a solo that plays so well for the song. Klaus’ vocals are so clean, smooth and even tender at times. The verses keep it soft and the chorus explodes with passion. What more could you want. As close to perfection as any band could get.

Every band needs a signature song and Scorpions did that on their 9th album, ‘Love at First Sting’ from 1984 with the song “Rock You Like a Hurricane”. It only went to #25 on the Top 40 chart, but it has lived on and given the band one of the quintessential 80’s rock songs ever made. There is no one that doesn’t know this song the second that opening riff kicks in. It is a rock anthem like very few achieve. For ever how many songs the album sold, most were sold because of this track. With heavy riffs, killer solos and one of the most catchiest choruses ever, this song took the band to a level they probably never thought they would see.

“Big City Nights” is another off ‘Love at First Sting’ and was the third single on the album. This one leads more to the 80’s pop rock, very radio friendly and although a rocker, a little calmer. Yet, it is very effective with its cool riff, contagious chorus and of course, that great Klaus vocal. What is there not to like.

Then we get nothing off 1988’s ‘Savage Amusement’ which is a disappointment for me as I love that album. Next up is from the 1990 album ‘Crazy World’ and another extremely famous song for them, “Wind of Change”. The song was written by Klaus Meine and was inspired by the band’s trip to the Moscow Peace Festival in 1989. The song is about the change that was brewing in the Soviet Union and in Berlin. When the Wall fell and the Soviet Union was no more, the song was a unifying song for everyone. The whistling in the song was by Klaus, Mathias was playing the rhythm guitar and Schenker handled the solo. A slow ballad that seem to strike a chord with everyone as it went to #1 in 9 countries and #4 in the U.S. It was certified Silver, Gold or Platinum in 9 countries as well. To say this was a worldwide phenomenon would be understatement. And the YouTube video is closing in on almost 1 Billion views…impressive.

Then is the other previously unreleased version of a song and this time it is “Still Loving You”. This is a live version from a French music show called Taratata recorded back in 1996, featuring violinist Vanessa Mae. It is an emotional, heart breaking, tear-jerker of a song and the violin adds more emotional feelings to the song as Klaus pulls at your heart strings.

Then we skip a handful more albums and go to their stunningly brilliant and amazingly, haunting song “Humanity” from their 2007 album produced by Desmond Child, ‘Humanity: Hour 1’.  Filled with mesmerizing orchestration, kick ass guitars and a bridge/chorus that rises above all and delivers one of the most stellar closers the band has ever produced. Yes, might be as good as “Still Loving You” as a closer. Klaus puts on a masterclass with his vocals as they mesh seamlessly with the rhythm section of the band. Now, that is the way you close an album. Dman!!! The song ends with a carnival style music outro that sounds a little celebratory like the war is over and humanity might have won!

And to close things out their most recent rock anthem. A real gem on the album is the title track, “Rock Believer”. Wow! Take me back to the Blackout era with those riffs. The song is nostalgic, anthemic and every other cliche you could think and it is all that and more. A feel good song that will have the crowds on their feet, phone flashlights in the air, waving their arms back and forth. The melodies of that chorus are stellar and some of the best they’ve done in the last 30 years. Truly the shining light of the album. Standing ovation from me.

As far as Greatest Hits compilations goes, there are no bad songs on this album. They picked some of their absolute best songs and covered a large swath of this career. But a bunch is still missing. A 2 CD set could’ve added a lot more gems that need to be heard. What you get though is fantastic and makes for an enjoyable listen as you travel through time and see how their style and sound changes over the years, but it all still sounds like Scorpions…that never changes. Klaus Meine has been the voice of the band since the beginning and he is the draw for me along with the dual guitars of Rudolf and Mathias or Uli or Michael…they are all My Overall Score is a 4.0 out of 5.0 Stars. Yes, it is missing a lot, but what there was a fun listen for me!

THE SCORPIONS COLLECTION SERIES:

1. Lonesome Crow (1972)
2. Fly to the Rainbow (1974)
3. In Trance (1975)
4. Virgin Killer (1976)
5. Taken by Force (1977)
6. Tokyo Tapes (1978)
7. Lovedrive (1979)
8. Best of Scorpions (1979)
9. Animal Magnetism (1980)
10. Rock Galaxy (1980) – Bonus Edition
11. Blackout (1982)
12. Hot & Heavy (1982)
13. Love at First Sting (1984)
14. Still Loving You Maxi Single (1984)
15. Best of Scorpions Vol. 2 (1984)
16. Gold Ballads (1984)
17. World Wide Live (1985)
18. Savage Amusement (1988)
19. Rhythm of Love – Single (Box Set) (1988)
20. Best of Rockers ‘n’ Ballads (1989)
21. Crazy World (1990)
22. Crazy World – 4 Track From Crazy World Promo Vinyl (1990)
23. Tease Me Please Me Promo CD (1990)
24. Don’t Believe Her Promo CD (1990)
25. Send Me An Angle Promo CD (1991)
26. Face the Heat (1993)
27. Live Bites (1995)
28. Pure Instinct (1996)
29. Big City Nights (Compilation) (1998)
30. Eye II Eye (1999)
31. Moment of Glory (with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra) (2000)
32. Acoustica (2001)
33. Bad for Good: The Very Best Of Scorpions (2002)
34. Unbreakable (2004)
35. Humanity: Hour 1 (2007)
36. Sting in the Tail (2010)
37. Icon (2010)
38. Comeblack (2011)
39. MTV Unplugged in Athens (2013)
40. Return to Forever (2015)
41. Rock Believer (2022)
42. The Albums Ranked Worst to First
43. Rock And Roll Queen (2019) – BOOTLEG
44. From the First Sting (2025)