Scorpions continues to defy time: 50 years after their debut, they are back with their 19th album. To last is one thing, but if on stage the band remains relevant, it is not the same in studio. "Retun To Forever" was mediocre and apart from "Humanity: Hour 1" the band hasn't offered anything decent for a long time. In these conditions, the arrival of "Rock Believer" leaves one doubtful - it's hard to believe that Scorpions can get out of their torpor. However, there are signs that give hope: the arrival of Mikkey Dee on drums has energized the band, while the duo Meine/Schenker composed without outside intervention and did not go looking for old worn-out demos. As for the cover, a wink to "Lovedrive" and "Blackout", it suprises and even excites the curiosity.
While we could have expected a federative rock track to open the record, Scorpions throws with 'Gas In The Tank' a missile, in a melodic heavy style bringing back to the beginning of the 80s. Meine is in great shape, the chorus is powerful and the riffs and soli are energetics. With 'Roots In My Boots' and 'Knock' Em Dead', the band confirms its return to the sound of "Blackout" and "Lovedrive". The energy deployed sticks to the wall with high-flying choruses, burning solos with a remarkable melodic strength.
After this muscular beginning, Scorpions continues its rejuvenation cure. 'Rock Believer' and 'Peacemaker' are two hits between hard rock and metal close to the spirit of the recent albums, but the energy is a hundred times superior in the powerful choruses as in the soli. 'Shining On Your Soul' brings Scorpions back to the spirit of the 70's, showing a certain closeness with 'Is There Anobdy There?' for the reggae passage and an airy side full of feeling, a huge chorus and a tone worthy of the Uli Jon Roth era. 'Seventh Sun' is in the same spirit, not far from 'China White' and with a very strong melancholic tone through a remarkable chorus.
The lesson is not over. 'Hot And Cold' and 'Call Of The Wild' are bathed in the heavy vintage spirit of 'Animal Magnetism', showing a nice balance between power and melody. 'When I Lay My Bones To Rest' seduces with its 70's hard speed tone full of freshness. Finally, the ballad 'Call Of The Wild' concludes the album with a melancholic tone very appropriate.
With "Rock Believer", Scorpions sign an incredible return to business, one of the most successful in a long time, like a "best of" of its golden age and without any doubt its best album since "Crazy World".