• Reissue
• Special Edition
• 180g
• Live recording
• 2015 remaster
  
  

Scorpions captured lightning in a bottle during their April 1978 performances at Tokyo's Sun-Plaza-Hall, a pivotal moment when the German hard rock outfit had solidified their signature sound but retained the raw energy of a touring band at full throttle. Tokyo Tapes documents the band during their ascent in the mid-to-late '70s, a period that established them as international arena rock architects. This live document stands apart in their catalog as essential evidence of how their studio compositions—particularly the extended rock workouts and heavy riff structures—translated to stage presence and audience connection.

The setlist showcases Scorpions' command of dynamics and instrumental prowess. "All Night Long" and "In Trance" demonstrate the band's ability to build hypnotic crescendos through layered guitar work and rhythm section precision, while tracks like "Backstage Queen" and "Pictured Life" reveal their grasp of song structure within the hard rock framework. "Polar Nights" exemplifies the atmospheric depth they could achieve even within rock's heavier constraints, and the closing statement of "We'll Burn The Sky…" provides the kind of triumphant finale that defines memorable live rock documents. The recorded atmosphere captures the visceral interaction between band and audience, with the Tokyo crowd's energy palpable throughout.

This 2023 reissue presents the performance in remastered form across two 180-gram vinyl records, restoring clarity and presence to the original recordings while respecting the analog character of the source material. The special edition packaging includes a white paper inner sleeve and arrives with a transparent sticker on the shrink wrap, marking it as part of the "Scorpions Colours of Rock" series. For vinyl collectors and hard rock enthusiasts, owning this pressing provides the full dynamic range of a legendary live performance in a format that rewards repeated listening.

Tracklist:

A1. All Night Long (3:43)
A2. Pictured Life (3:13)
A3. Backstage Queen (3:40)
A4. Polar Nights (7:01)
A5. In Trance (5:27)
B1. We'll Burn The Sky (8:07)
B2. Suspender Love (3:41)
B3. In Search Of The Peace Of Mind (3:02)
B4. Fly To The Rainbow (9:38)
C1. He's A Woman, She's A Man (5:22)
C2. Speedy's Coming (3:39)
C3. Top Of The Bill (6:47)
C4. Hound Dog (1:14)
C5. Long Tall Sally (2:50)
D1. Steamrock Fever (3:41)
D2. Dark Lady (4:38)
D3. (Kojo No Tsuki) (3:18)
D4. Robot Man (5:49)