SCORPIONS.

Scorpions know that a guitar song can become big in two ways: with a sure-fire riff or with a melody that sticks around.

Scorpions combines a clear hard rock sound with a strong sense of melody. The guitars can hit hard, while the vocals open up a chorus broadly. That band power remains present in the ballads as well: the tension arises from the contrast between a subdued beginning and a grand collective gesture. Both riffs and melodies play a recognizable role.

A Scorpions-LP demonstrates how the band alternates heavy rock songs with more subdued moments. Those who collect Scorpions on vinyl can choose between studio albums, live records, and compilations. This choice changes the listening experience: an album shows the coherence of a period, while a compilation places different chapters side by side.

A vinyl album gives the songs a fixed order and a tangible place in your collection. Give the lesser-known tracks time as well, and follow the transitions within a side of the record.

Lovedrive lets the band hear it at speed, Blackout is a direct sequel, and Crazy World opens up a larger audience. Listen to Blackout.

The Artist Story for Metallica reveals another side of great guitar music. Hard rock and heavy metal demonstrate how guitar power and melody can complement each other. Read Metallica, hard rock and heavy metal.

From Scorpions you can go to Accept for sharper riffs, Helloween for speed, and Rammstein for a much heavier, theatrical approach.