BMG

BLACKOUT, released 1982, finally elevated the Scorpions into the top ranks of the hard rock world. While the album made it to number ten in the Billboard charts, the first single "No One Like You" did even better and went straight to number one. On BLACKOUT, the Scorpions strike a near perfect balance between raw and dynamic hard rock and their very own brand of beautiful power ballads. The album has it all, sheer aggressiveness, razor sharp guitars, powerful emotions and outstanding melodies. Thanks to heavy rocking tracks such as 'China White', 'Now' or 'Dynamite', the Scorpions became very popular not only with the traditional melodic hard rock crowd but also with the emerging heavy metal scene of the early 1980s. The success of BLACKOUT turned them into global superstars. The outstanding music was matched by the iconic cover-artwork created by the Austrian artist Gottfried Helnwein.<br/><br/>To celebrate their 50th band anniversary, the Scorpions are releasing a CD/DVD Deluxe Edition of BLACKOUT. The high quality Digipak not only contains the newly remastered original album tracks, but also five exciting bonus tracks. The band carefully selected the five pieces which have never been released before. Among them is a rather intriguing demo version of "Blackout". The other four are "Sugar Man", "All My Love", "Searching For The Rainbow" and "Running For The Plane".<br/><br/>The bonus DVD comprises of the legendary performance of the Scorpions in Dortmund's Westfalenhalle on 17 December 1983. Back then, German broadcaster ZDF aired the concert live as part of their 'Rock Pop in Concert' series. However, the footage that features the band at their very best has never been made available on tape or any other physical medium before. The DVD also includes an exclusive forty minutes interview in which the musicians talk about the recording of BLACKOUT and the events which at times threatened the entire project. Last but not least, video clips of "No One Like You" and "Arizona" complete the DVD.<br/>An extensive 16 page booklet rounds the package off. It features liner notes written by Edgar Klüsener, a former editor of Germany's Metal Hammer, as well as rare photos and single covers, images of backstage passes and tour posters.

Expectations of them were sky high when the Scorpions entered the studio to record the follow up to the hugely successful albums LOVE AT FIRST STING and WORLD WIDE LIVE, yet the band were not in a rush. Instead, it took the Scorpions almost three years before they finally released SAVAGE AMUSEMENT. The album surprised fans and critics alike, not least because of the musical changes it introduced. Some were subtle, others less so. SAVAGE AMUSEMENT documents the band's ability to react to changes in the musical landscape as well as their willingness to experiment. SAVAGE AMUSEMENT turned out to be yet another brilliant album from a great band. Since its release on 16 April 1988, it has proved to be yet another global success for the Scorpions and became the sixth consequent album to go platinum. Its release was followed by a ground breaking world tour. <br/><br/>To celebrate their 50th band anniversary, the Scorpions are releasing a CD/DVD Deluxe Edition of SAVAGE AMUSEMENT. The high quality Digipak contains the newly remastered original album tracks and also six unreleased bonus tracks. "Taste Of Love", "Edge Of Time", "Don't Wait Too Long", "Dancing In The Moonlight" and "Fast And Furious" are thrilling demo takes, while "Living For Tomorrow" is a song that was first recorded live in Leningrad on 26 April 1988<br/>The DVD is packed with exciting clips and documentaries. In spring 1988, the Scorpions were the first Western rock band ever to venture into what was back then the USSR. They played ten sold out shows in Leningrad (today's St Petersburg). "To Russia with Love and other Savage Amusements" documents the journey and offers some fascinating insights into a world that has since perished into the pages of the history books. Further bonus videos include clips of "Rhythm of Love", "Believe in Love" and "I Can't Explain" as well as an exclusive interview documentary in which the musicians talk about the recording of SAVAGE AMUSEMENT.<br/>An extensive 16 page booklet rounds the package off. It features liner notes written by Edgar Klüsener, a former editor of Germany's Metal Hammer, and photos, single covers and images of backstage passes.

ZZ Top are readying a new album titled RAW that was recorded in connection with the band's wildly popular and critically lauded 2019 Netflix documentary That Little Ol' Band From Texas. The first track set to be released is "Brown Sugar", one of the earlier recordings in the band's career. The Grammy-nominated feature from Banger Films and director Sam Dunn includes an interlude that finds the group's classic line up -- Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and the late Dusty Hill -- gathering for a very intimate session at Gruene Hall, "the oldest continually run dance hall in Texas" located in New Braunfels, in the heart of Texas hill country. That performance provided the basis for the RAW album release. In memory of Dusty Hill.

Half-speed cut at Abbey Road studios, London.

Iommi Toni/Glenn Hughes: The 1996 Dep sessions [Digipack / CD]

Scorpions: Love at first sting 1984 (Deluxe/Rem) [Digipack / 2 CD + DVD]

Erasure: Always/The very best... [Gatefold / 2 Vinyl LP]