1967/ 1976
Lovedrive is the sixth studio album by the German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1979. Lovedrive was a major evolution of the band's sound, which exhibited their "classic style" that would be later developed over their next few albums. Michael Schenker, younger brother of rhythm guitarist Rudolf Schenker, performed lead guitar on 3 songs. The RIAA certified Lovedrive as Gold on 28 May 1986 and the album ranked 25 on IGN's list of the top 25 metal albums.
"Lovedrive" begin with "Loving You Sunday Morning", a great (but very commercial) Heavy Metal anthem. Good riffs but it is the atmosphere that is the winnig element of "Lovig You Sunday Morning". "Another Piece Of Meat" is a sort of Proto Power Metal with a great guitar soli section. "Another Piece Of Meat" remain, at the same time, a great Hard Rock in the vein of previous albums, because it is slightly psychedelic. "Always Somewhere" is a great ballads from the "Kings of Power Ballads". Also if beliberately too sweet, "Always Somewhere" is the perfection if I speak about a Heavy Metal ballad, because sweet with aggressive guitar, technical (also...!!!) but with extemely good magic. "Coast To Coast" close first side of the album, and it is a great instrumental, with great magic and technical guitar riffs. "Can't Get Enough" is an interesting Hard Rock, aggressive and without compromises, a Psychedelic Proto Metal. "Is There Anybody There?" is a great but very strange Reggae Metal ballad. "Is There Anybody There?" is another Scorpions evergreen with all Scorpions elements. "Lovedrive" is another Traditional Heavy Metal, commercial but with great atmosheres and guitars. "Holiday" close the album. The start of "Holiday" is a long acoustic part. The middle part is electric and the final is Electro/ acoustic. The melody is sweet but aggressive, also if the final result is not aggressive.
In definitive "Lovedrive" is a great album, also commercial. However, "Lovedrive" is at the same time, one of the best albums of the 1970's with all the magic present and able to unleash. An evergreen for all type of Metalheads!