SCORPIONS — In Trance (review)

SCORPIONS — In Trance album cover Album · 1975 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
Warthur
Gone are the last ghosts of Scorpions' prog-influenced origins on this release, and in comes the first of a run of hyper-controversial cover art images (though it's pretty damn tame compared to the outright dodgy Virgin Killer, a real "what the hell were you thinking?" moment).

And the music itself? Subtlety goes out the window and sheer hard rock fury is unleashed, as spotted from the ramparts of proto-metal hell. With the raucous album opener Dark Lady acting as a declaration of intent, the release serves up 36 minutes of top-notch 1970s rock, with the band proving themselves masters not just of then-current blues-rock and ballad sounds but also pioneers of a new, faster style of early metal which would be a key influence on the European metal scene in coming years.

Overall, the album is aptly named, because it's one of those rare releases where the first time you hear it you just have to stop whatever you are doing and pay attention. Over time I have found that my appreciation of it has faded a little, in part because it's the start of a style which Scorpions would take to greater heights later in their career, but for those exploring the history of 1970s hard rock and proto-metal, don't skip out on this landmark.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

A Sonication Technical Death Metal
OBSCURA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 6 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed