The Scorpions return to Hellfest 2022 to play an absolutely stupendous, hit-packed show for the more than 150,000 fans gathered in the fields of Clisson tonight before the official inauguration of Lemmy’s memorial statue.
Scorpions – Hellfest 2022 – 24 June 2022.
Words: Kahmel Farahani
Now that the very notion of retirement has been thrown out the window, we can all appreciate that after more than 50 years as a band, the Scorpions must be placed somewhere between international musical treasure and a straight-up miracle.
From the one-two punch of The Zoo and Coast To Coast to new songs like Rock Believer, the band sound and look flawless.
Send Me An Angel leads into what is probably the ultimate power ballad of all time, and tonight it is given some extra poignancy.
As frontman Klaus Mein notes, sadly, there is a war in Europe, and tonight Winds Of Change is dedicated to the people of Ukraine.
Big City Nights still has the biggest chorus hook in town, and drummer Mikkey Dee is a phenomenon behind the kit. However, he’s not the only member of Motörhead here on stage tonight.
Motörhead’s Phil Campbell is invited on stage to jam the final song of the night, Rock You Like A Hurricane.
After the Scorpions take a united final bow, Mikkey and Phil return to the stage to raise a salute to their fallen brother, Lemmy. In a moving speech, they declare the official inauguration of Lemmy’s memorial statue, the placement of his ashes and raise a glass in his honour.
It’s a beautiful and touching moment for Heavy Metal and rock and roll fans the world over.
Hellfest 2022 will be held over two weekends in June, featuring 350 artists on six stages. For more information visit www.hellfest.fr/en/
You can read all the MetalTalk Hellfest coverage at metaltalk.net/tag/hellfest-2022
This year there is also a virtual edition, Hellfest From Home. For more details visit fromhome.hellfest.fr
