Blackout by Scorpions (1982) was the first album I ever purchased by the German rockers, and it makes this list because it sounded like an invasion of metal guitars coming out of the speakers as the title song just erupted in my ear holes! The production on this beauty was state of the art when it was released, and still sounds pretty fierce all these years later. Klaus Meine’s vocals are incredible and unmistakable…the guitars of Rudolf Schenker and Mathias Jabs are detonating on every track, and the rhythm section of Francis Bucholz on bass and Herman “The German” Rarebell on drums are simply pulverizing. In addition to the deadly title song, this disc includes No One Like You, China White, You Give Me All I Need, and Dynamite. I know the older stuff with Uli Jon Roth on lead guitar is much loved by diehard Scorpions fans, but this was my introduction to the band, and therefore holds a near and dear place in my metal heart!

Written By Braddon S. Williams