Humanity Hour 1Scorpions (New Door Records)

Published on October 2, 2007

Scorpions (New Door Records)

The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

Who's doing what: Scorpions spent about four months in the studio in Los Angeles with producers James Michael and Desmond Child working on this new concept album, which was released in May in Europe and in August in the US. They are currently on a world tour but Thai fans will be disappointed to see that Bangkok is not on the gig list.

Mr Badboy says: Scorpions have kept their trademark sound for this, their 21st album. Hard-rocking numbers "Hour 1", "The Game of Life", "321" and "The Cross" will satisfy fans of 2004's "Unbreakable", and even 1982's "Blackout". The ballad/rock hybrids "You're Lovin' Me To Death", "Love Is War" and "Humanity" bring to mind "Rhythm of Love". For those who still think "Winds of Change" and "Still Loving You" are the best tracks Scorpions ever recorded, check out the ballad "Love Will Keep Us Alive" for more of the same. Newer heavy metal heads won't find what they're looking for here, but it's a good buy for anyone who enjoys vintage rock and great ballads.

On the net: "Love Will Keep Us Alive"

Black Rain

Ozzy Osbourne (Sony)

Who's who: Ozzy Osbourne is the lead vocalist of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath and the star of reality show "The Osbournes". As well as the lead vocals Osbourne plays the harmonica and synthesiser.

As a solo artist, he's sold over 27 million albums in the US and 50 million worldwide. Most notable are "Blizzard of Ozz" in 1980 and "No More Tears" in 1991, both certified quadruple-platinum for sales of more than four million copies in the US.

Who's doing what: "Black Rain" was released in May with 10 new songs including "Countdown's Begun", "Not Going Away", and "Lay Your World On Me" (about wife Sharon's cancer battles), and is Osbourne's first new studio album in almost six years.

The British rock star was the first artist to be honoured on his hometown of Birmingham's own Hollywood-style Walk of Fame, and was there to witness a bronze star bearing his name being placed on Broad Street.

Mr Badboy says: This album will sit well with younger fans of Ozzy's music who don't mind hearing long-time collaborator Zakk Wylde's down-tuned guitar riffs. Opener "Not Going Away" is thick with distortion while follow-up "I Don't Wanna Stop" opens with guitar feedback before thundering into Wylde's signature riffs.

"The Almighty Dollar" is the strongest song on the album.

"Lay Your World on Me" and "11 Silver" capture the spirit of the late Rhandy Rhodes, while "Here For You", which begins with a beautiful piano line, is one of the more interesting ballads. The last track, "Trap Door", delivers Ozzy's best vocal melodies interspersed with Wylde's terrific riffs.

On the net: "Not Going Away"