SCORPIONS – SAVAGE AMUSEMENT

In my mind, Savage Amusement will always mark the Scorpions at the height of their popularity. A band who found their formula for success a brought this iconic style of heavy metal to the rest of the world!

Whenever I think about the Scorpions, the 1984 album Love At First Sting always seems to come to mind. I believe this is because I had more or less discovered heavy metal about a year earlier, but I was too young to attend what is now being remembered as a pinnacle concert event years ago.

Not only was Bon Jovi (Self-titled 1984 release) the opening act but the Scorpions played three massive, sold-out nights at the Rosemont Horizon (now the Allstate Arena – 6920 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, IL) on May 20th, 21st, and 23rd, 1984. I remember reading an article in my local newspaper saying the soundboard mix was exceptionally loud and “roof-blowing”. The City of Rosemont supposedly made threats, but no municipal fines or legal action was ever taken.

In addition, The Horizon was a special venue for the band on that specific tour. The live footage used in their iconic 1985 music video “Big City Nights” was filmed directly at these Rosemont iconic shows.

I’ve always felt like I missed something monumental. I was upset the band didn’t tour World Wide Live in Illinois back in 1985. In the end, I had to wait three more years before (1988) I’d get a chance to see the Scorpions in the flesh was during the Savage Amusement tour.

In my opinion, Savage Amusement was the last great Scorpions release. The band had been on a roll since 1979’s Lovedrive and now four studio albums and one live album later, it made sense that the group had progressed musically past the formula that made them great.

That’s not to say Crazy World or the songs “Winds of Change” and “Send Me An Angel” weren’t relevant or successful, they just come off as a watered-down version of a once viable heavy metal act. When I think about what happened with the ‘Berlin Wall’ and the fact that Crazy World is the only Scorpion’s album to reach number one in their home country of Germany, it’s hard not to understand the legitimacy but, it just doesn’t sound like the Scorpions I’ve come to know and love.

Savage Amusement on the other hand, is full of classic cuts. Songs like: “Don’t Stop at the Top”, “Rhythm of Love”, “Passion Rules the Game” and “Media Overkill” seemingly personify the band in its twilight stage and are easily my highlight tracks on this effort.

Three accompanying music videos were released in conjunction of the record: “Rhythm of Love”, the lead single and a major MTV hit, an apocalyptic space offering featuring the Scorpions signature ’80s hard rock style. “Passion Rules The Game”, an official performance video capturing the band’s relentless energy and dynamic rock style and “Believe In Love”, the primary power ballad from the album and a staple for the during this multi-album run.

In my mind, Savage Amusement will always mark the Scorpions at the height of their popularity. A band who found their formula for success a brought this iconic style of heavy metal to the rest of the world! \m/