"Truly one of the revolutionary, early heavy metal albums."
Virgin Killer is the first of four studio releases that really defined the Scorpions and their highly influential urgent metallic sound. It was released in 1976 and was the first album of the band to attract attention outside Europe. The album was a step in the band's shift from psychedelic music to hard rock. For the first time in the band's career the line-up stayed the same with Klaus Meine on vocals, Uli Jon Roth on lead guitar, Rudolf Schenker on rhythm guitar, Francis Buchholz on bass, and Rudy Lenners on drums. The nine tracks were laid down with Dieter Dierks producing.
The band is in top form and churns out some melodic yet blistering heavy rock. Virgin Killer is full of heavy songs and exceptionally, fast, innovative guitar leads by Uli Jon Roth. These songs are infectious and Uli's guitar solo on the Jimi Hendrix inspired "Polar Nights" exhibits the thunder-heavy riffs and grooves that make it a classic.
Virgin Killer should have made the band superstars, the recording draws the line of what was classic hard rock and true heavy metal. The metal is so clear cut and state-of-the-art, but since metal was still very much an underground movement, the Scorpions would have to wait until the '80's when the band cranked out their first hits.
The Hendrix comparisons are endless, Virgin Killer is simply essential listening; a landmark album for the genre's development that made Uli Jon Roth a guitar legend.
I really hope 'In Trance' and 'Taken By Force' comes next!. Anyway, as I posted @ stevehoffman forum, since AF is releasing a "Mercury Years" album and then a "RCA years" one, (aka "Matthias Jabs" and "Uli Jon Roth" eras), most probably will see in the future: (in this order)
1- Blackout
2- In Trance or Taken By Force
3- Lovedrive
4- Taken By Force or In Trance
SPREAD THE WORD and meanwhile, get the wonderful 'Love At First Sting' version
