Review | Herman Rarebell & Friends – What About Love?

Metalville Records

We all know Herman Rarebell as the man behind the drums with German legends Scorpions in the seventies, eighties, and part of the nineties, while he also had a three-album stint with Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock. And let us not forget a couple of solo-albums as well including ‘Herman Ze German’. The last years have been quit for the man who always has a laugh on his face. Until now….

BACK TO THE EIGHTIES

With this twelve-track album Herman returns to his favourite period in rock. He has gone back to the eighties and re-recorded a bunch of popular songs, including two from Scorpions and two from Heart. Further there are songs of Robert Palmer, Guns N’ Roses, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Phil Collins, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, The Police and Whitesnake to be heard. During his time with Michael Schenker, Rarebell worked closely together with producer Michael Voss, who himself has a past with bands such as Mad Max and Casanova. So, it is not very strange that Herman and Michael Voss found each other again, co-producing with Michael who is also doing the bulk of the lead vocals which he has shared with his wife Eva Von der Forst.

THE GUESTLIST

By including Dann Huff (Giant) and Howard Leese (Heart and Bad Company) on guitars, Bryan Adams’ writing partner Jim Vallance on keyboards, Bob Daisley (Gary Moore, Uriah Heep, Ozzy Osbourne) on bass plus UFO’s Neil Carter on keyboards the guestlist that Herman Rarebell has accumulated is impressive at least. How can things go wrong when you have such seasoned musicians on board and a repertoire that is immaculate. Add to that the experience of Michael Voss who with Herman has taken care of a rather modern production and you must have a top-notch album, right?

FLAT VERSIONS

No, you do not get a top-notch album. Although there are a few different arrangements added, most of the versions presented are rather flat. Herman said in the notes that it was his goal to go back to the times that good songs, passion, love, and courage were key and those ingredients are something he misses in today’s rock scene. But it is not so easy to relive and re-record the magic of the eighties, as this album shows.

Not that it is bad, but I find it all very flat and the combination between pop rock songs, AOR and heavy rock songs should normally work, but it just does not on this record. Eva Von der Forst might be a decent singer, but she is not a rock singer as can be noticed on the Guns N’ Roses track ,,Sweet Child O’ Mine’’. I miss a bit of roughness on this album. It all sounds very neat and (too) polished.

HERMAN RAREBELL – THE CONCLUSION

I had expected a bit more than what Herman Rarebell & Friends are giving us. The whole album floats between several styles. Even the Scorpions classic ,,Rock You Like A Hurricane’’ does not do it for me, let alone ,,Passion Rules The Game’’. It might have been better if Herman would have invited a few guest singers as well, instead of just using Michael and Eva. They have done their best. I am sure of that but in this case it only works partly. I would like to give this album the benefit of the doubt but some-how I just cannot do that. Have a listen and judge for yourself.

Release date: 11 April 2025