Humanity: Hour 1, Part 2

Scorpions — Humanity: Hour 1
This is not a concept album. When I was given this album to review, the “bio” that came with it explained that it was a concept album. And it gave some explanation about a futuristic nightmare a la Terminator:

…based on a loose storyline by Desmond Child and futurist Liam Carl, which predicts a world torn apart by a civil war between humans and robots. This apocalyptic nightmare serves as a warning shot to all mankind, whose only hope of survival is to reclaim our humanity…

That’s a crock. And I’m glad it is. I mean, who really likes to listen to concept albums? The problems with concept albums is there are always filler songs to keep the story going that are throw-aways. I can listen to Queensryhe’s Operation Mindcrime from front-to-back, but when is the last time you or somene you know listened to the “greatest concept album of all time” (note quotes), Pink Floyd’s The Wall? I mean, there are some great, great songs on there, but there’s also more than a few dismal throw-aways.

This album can be listened to on shuffle. It’s great and amazing no matter how you slice it. But, like a concept album longs to be, listening from beginning to end is an exercise in brilliance with dynamic plays and swells of emotion that’ll kill you.

If it was a concept album, though, it’s not about science fiction. It’s about a love relationship that soared and then crashed. This girl ripped this guy’s tender heart out and crushed it with sharp fingernails. It’s amazing how biting and venomous some of these words cut. Wow. My girlfriend likes to say, “I am SO glad these songs were not written about me!” I guess it could be the ultimate breakup album. There was a hint on the previous (Unbreakable) album. It’s a tear-jerker called “Through My Eyes.” It plays like the prequel to this whole album. A foreshadowing of things to come. I’ll share some of these lyrics as we go on. Now, let us begin.

The album starts off with “Hour 1,” a woman’s voice says, “Welcome to humanity. This is Hour One.” Then a marching drum cadence forces your heart to start beating faster and the crunchy power chords chime in with vocalist Klaus Meine’s power metal delivery. If you miss Ronnie James Dio’s most epic moments, you’ll feel at home here. This song is one of  the only songs on the album that seems even remotely about a “lost humanity, the world’s about to end, tilt-apocalypse” kind of vibe. The repeating chorus is, “Stay down!” It’s a warning to keep your head low. It’s a perfect song, energy-wise to start the album, because it’s fast, pumping and powerful. When the song builds up for the ending and then swells back with tweaking guitar knobs and scratched strings, you almost want to pause for a rest.

Then a power rocker with plenty (in my opinion too much) predictable riffing picks up without that rest your brain, body and ears need. “The Game of Life.”

“The time has come for me to talk to you
and I don’t mean to hurt your pride
but everybody needs a friend
sometimes to make you see — the light
in the game of life
the strong survive
we’re on a one-way street
we’ve got to make it out alive…

Meine’s pouting vocals in the verses pull you in seductively and the chorus is an anthem. It’s good, but there is so much better yet to come. It’s formulaic, but they do it so well. In fact, they kill it. But it gets better.

The game of life
the game of l-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-fe!

The next song starts off with a singing guitar lead that’s as melodic and seductive as Meine’s voice, which comes in shortly after eight measures with a whisper:

Hello again
you’ve been alone awhile and I can use a friend
your shades are down
and I’ve been waiting here for you to come around.

This is the whispering vocalized verses. It’s working. It’s compelling. Then Meine steps it up a bit for the pre-chorus:

…and it’s not about forgiveness
because it’s all about the love
anyhow…

and then the drums kick in to take us to the chorus, which climbs in energy and seeming desperation:

 

We were born to fly
to reach beyond the sky
to carry on forever after
you and I keep our faith alive
with you I’m not afraid
to rise and fall and face disaster
You and I, we were born to fly!

This love relationship is soaring at the moment. These are high words to praise a relationship. It’s encouraging. It’s a gigantic proclamation. All seems amazingly well so far. It’s a melodic metal highlight. It’s an emotional peak. But it’s not even close to being over. “The Future Never Dies” starts off with a tickling-the-ivories piano intro that precedes Meine’s voice, where the piano turns to plodding chords that squeeze emotion with each note. It’s a power ballad moment made in heaven. It doesn’t get more gripping than this. This is greatness. Guns ‘N Roses’ “November Rain,” UFO’s “Love to Love,” Heart’s “Alone,” Skid Row’s “I Remember You,” hits from White Lion, Whitesnake, Journey — take ’em all and line ’em up and they’d only be just as good as this moment. It’ll slay you.

Remember that Volkswagon TV ad where the driver does all the air drumming at the stoplight to Rush’s “Fly By Night?” Remember how lost this guy was in that moment? This song (and it’s not the only one on the album) has all of that mesmerizing power and more. It swells, lifts, drops and slams hard. Only you might be a puddle of tears at the end of this thing (with a beat up dashboard, too).

Play this one at full volume (don’t you dare listen to this album at low volume, by the way, it’d be a travesty of epic proportions).

As the storyline moves on, Meine observes that something is happening to the relationship. Something is wrong. Follow the emotion as it plods along:

I’m
lost in your eyes
reaching out to cross the great divide
you
are drifting away
in mind and soul and body day by day…

Then he shifts gears and speeds up a little bit with the help of the bass, drums and guitars:

…nothing’s stopping you and I
it’s do or die
tonight
so tell me why
I’m alone
when we’re lying here together
on a night
that’s so cold
and you’re just a touch a way
baby, try
to hold on
’til we make it to forever
we’re alive
and the future never dies.

Another verse starts.

I
am dying inside
holding back the tears I never cried
Now
I’m down on my knees
cuz everything you are is what I need…

Tempo shift up a level as the band climbs with each word:

You’re the meaning of it all
don’t let me fall
you’ve gotta tell me why…

We’re alive
and the future never dies

There’s a pregnant pause that Meine shatters with the following line — a passionate cry for resolution:

 

We’ve got to come together
cuz everybody needs a heart to hold
can’t you see it’s now or never
cuz we’ve got nowhere else to go…

And then Matthias Jabs comes screaming in with the perfect singing guitar lead, followed by Meine’s pouting questions. He’s so close, yet so far to this woman’s heart. It’s a song of hope, yet it’s so sad.

Then bitterness comes crashing in with loud drums and more power chords. Then a pulsing beat:

 

It’s your move
I’m in pain
I’m a pawn in your game
It’s your life
I just happen to be in it for awhile

Oh, you’re loving me to death
you’re killing me with kindness
what’s behind this
sudden ten – der – ness?

Cue the bass on top, with drums and guitar underneath.

 

You’re loving me to death
and leaving me to die
you make me wanna scream
but my tongue is tied
you play me like a toy
you make my life a mess
everybody knows
you’re loving me to death!

When you touch
can you feel?
is your heart
only made of steel?
When you cry
do you ever let emotions break your stride
Oh, you take away my breath
your unexpected hunger
makes me wonder
what the hell comes next…

Like  the other songs, the music builds up only to erupt. Another killer Jabs solo graces this one before the choruses stack up and bring the song to an end. This song is such an emotional ringer that it begs for a rest.

It gets one, but only with a changeup of tempo. Yep, things speed up with party rock power chords. This is where it slips back into this faux sci-fi concept album.

Time
is a wicked master …

close your eyes and it will crush you…

It’s a curse born unto man
turns your dreams into disaster.

 

The chorus is huge:

Save me
‘cuz the world’s gonna stop
baby three-two-one
are you ready to rock?
Come one and brave me
when the curtain will drop
baby, three-two-one
Are you ready to rock?
Are you ready to rock?
Are you ready to rock
Are you ready to rock / tonight?”

It’s formula — it could be construed as being contrived, but it’s good. It stands up alone all by itself, but it marks a perfect turning point or shift in the rolling concept album.

The Scorpions are an amazing live band. They truly are like sonic skyscrapers that fly around, attacking with melody like a fast-hitting football team (think of a killer defense and the hard hitting that happens during the post season, where every hit means something). But what they do possibly better than anyone is that tender moment. Jabs’ guitar sings with a sweetness that’s a perfect match for Meine’s golden voice. The rest of the band just happens to be a tight pocket that doesn’t let up or miss a beat.

Cue another power ballad — “Love Will Keep Us Alive.” The singer sounds hopeful again. Solo electric guitar dances in to start the song, handing the spotlight off to Meine’s soft and tender voice. It’s immediate sadness — times ten. It’s easy to imagine both performers closing their eyes. It’s got soul — melodic metal soul. Look it up in the dictionary. It’ll have a button with this intro marked “PLAY.”

When I look
at you
I can see the sadne3ss in your eyes
in these desperate times
we get pushed and shoved
from every side

I can’t love you
if you won’t let me
can’t touch me
if you don’t try
I can’t feel you
I know that you’re ready
to take it to the other side

Love will keep us alive
let’s make the moment right
it’s now or never
Love will keep us alive
even the darkest night
will shine forever
Love will keep us alive
Love will keep us alive
Love
Love will keep us alive.

The guitar leads that come after each chorus sing it one more time. The verses are like rib-crushing hugs of emotion.

 

When you walk away
there’s an empty feeling in my mind
as the days go by
we get caught up in our separate life
if you need me
you know I”d come running
right to you
just give me a sign
I won’t leave you
we’ll make it together
and take it through the end of time.

It is a sad commentary on the relationship, but it’s filled with hope. It almost has the hope of the Gospel in it with a proclamation like that. Love is powerful. What a gift God has given us. And how much pain can be wrought by it? Listen. Keep listening.

“We Will Rise Again” promises more hope with its title. But the crashing intro that breaks with a pulsating heavy bass that will accompany Meine’s pouting vocals as he tells a sad story:

 

Holding on to you
like broken glass
every touch cuts deeper
than the last
I know I should leave
but it feels so good to bleed
A poison kiss has locked us
in this cage
our lives get twisted
in this masquerade
I can’t seem to shake this incurable need
this endless addiction I feel…

Cue the metal band. Crash!

Angels are crying
they fall from the sky
heaven and hell
will be burning tonight
covered in ashes
they cry out your name
and out of the pain
we will rise again.

Run in to the shadows where we hide
Bodies tender as our worlds collide
Nothing is sacred and everything’s wrong
But you and I keep holding on

Angels on fire
They fall from the sky
Heaven and hell will be burning tonight
Covered in ashes I cry out your name
And out of the flames
We will rise again

No temptation is my sin
Not my darkest deepest whim…

This is some torrid, dark stuff! It’s an epic song with deep and dark dynamics. It’s a setup. Crash you over the head with a sonic assault — and then massage your ears with quiet, sweet melody. These guys are killers, I tell you!

“Your Last Song” is, you guessed it, a swan song to the relationship. Jabs starts it off with a few of the the bottom six strings singing. Then Meine swoops in softly:

Okay. Let me take a moment here and pause — even though the album will play on and not give you this moment to rest. We’ve heard some gut-wrenchingly beautiful music thus far. You can tell, because only a weeping metalhead would ever blubber out a phrase like gut-wrenchingly. This might just be one of those bands that you’ll resist liking, because they might get you in touch with some yucky feminine side — and that’s not manly.

Well, the next song takes all of this epic-ness up another level. If it were possible… And it is.

“Love is War” is the ultimate breakup song from the ultimate breakup album. I say ultimate, of course, because metal is the most ultimate genre known to man. It is the preeminent form of rock and roll. (Cue any of the Jack Black speeches from School of Rock here). In fact, if you are too impatient to listen to this album from track one through track 12, then just select this one and feast.

It begins with a somber flamenco style guitar lead played on the electric. Meine comes in pouting (again), but you won’t tire of this formula. It’s too successful at completely dominating your palpable mind and music heart.

 

You were once a friend to me
Now you are my enemy
Passion turns to hate and you make
Hate worth fighting for