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From cult psychedelic warriors to global rock superstars: Every Scorpions album ranked from worst to best
Rock magazine Louder has published a feature ranking every studio album by German hard rock band Scorpions, from worst to best, tracing their evolution from a psychedelic-influenced 1960s outfit to one of the biggest rock acts of the 1980s. The piece charts the band's long history and shifting sound, offering fans and newcomers a critical guide to a catalogue spanning more than five decades.
Scorpions were founded by guitarist Rudolf Schenker in Hannover in 1965, with the line-up solidifying in 1969 when his younger brother Michael Schenker joined on guitar alongside vocalist Klaus Meine. Early records such as Lonesome Crow and Fly to the Rainbow, the latter featuring Jimi Hendrix-inspired guitarist Uli Jon Roth, built the band's reputation in Germany before their sound progressed through prog-influenced rock towards the polished, chart-friendly heavy rock that brought them international breakthrough success from November 1975 onwards.
In short
- Louder ranks every Scorpions studio album from worst to best
- Feature traces band's formation in Hannover in 1965
- Covers shift from psychedelic roots to global 1980s rock success
Explained simply
Scorpions are a German rock band formed in Hannover in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker. Their early line-up included his younger brother Michael Schenker and singer Klaus Meine, and their first records helped establish them in Germany.
The band’s sound changed over time, moving from psychedelic and progressive influences towards more polished hard rock. Their international success grew from the mid-1970s, and they became one of the best-known rock acts of the 1980s.
Their catalogue spans more than five decades, reflecting those changes in style and line-up. Knowing that history helps explain why listeners may judge the band’s albums by different periods and sounds.