Scanner is a German metal band that has existed since 1986. And as well as many other German bands, they started their career on the Noise label. Originally named Lions Breed (even releasing one album under this name), they changed their name prior to releasing their first album, 'Hypertrace', in 1988. They changed their name because they felt that they had outgrown the name Lions Breed. Now they are struggling with a another band also calling themselves Scanner, supposedly an English techno-band.
HYPERTRACE (1988, 1998) NOISE/MODERN
MUSIC
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Line-up: Tom S. Sopha - Guitar Axel "A.J." Julius - Guitar Michael "M.A.J.O.R." Knoblich - Vocals Wolfgang Kolorz - Drums Martin Bork - Bass Guest: Ralf Scheepers - Backing Vocals |
After purchasing their 'Ball Of The Damned' album, I wanted to check some other titles from Scanner. That turned out to be a little harder than first expected. But I did come across this, their debut-album, as Noise re-released it on CD in 1998. These Germans play German power metal, nothing more, nothing less. It's a straight heavy metal platter, with no surprises. 'Hypertrace' is a concept album. The story is kinda like the movie 'Universal Soldier', but set in WWII! If you are into the 80's German heavy metal scene, this is a classic must have. But IMO this album did not face the test of time all that well. I bet it had a lot more charm in 1988.
Killer tracks: Warp7, R.M.U.
TERMINAL EARTH (1989, 1998) NOISE/MODERN
MUSIC
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Line-up: Tom S. Sopha - Guitar Axel "A.J." Julius - Guitar S.L. Coe - Vocals Wolfgang Kolorz - Drums Martin Bork - Bass |
Reading my write-up for 'Hypertrace' one thing is defiantly clear; this band turned it up a notch for their second release. 'Terminal Earth' was released the year after their debut, and this is a much better album. Do you remember when speed metal was an actual subgenre in it self, and not only a sub category under the power metal moniker? Well, this is exactly what this album is opening with. "The Law" could just as easily have been recorded for Helloween's first album. New vocalist, Yugoslavian born ex-Angel Dust frontman S.L. Coe, is quite reminiscent of one Kai Hansen, and that might be another factor that makes the two bands sound similar. But I have to question who is copying who here. Just take a listen to "Not Alone" or "Touch The Light" and tell me that Mr. Hansen didn't listen to 'Terminal Earth' before writing "Somewhere Out In Space"!?! The entire album is filled with good old German metal. But they also have much in common with what was happening in the US at the time. Bands like Metal Church and Agent Steel comes to mind. Another fine thing about this album is that it is not overproduced, or overplayed. Don't get me wrong, the musicianship is absolutely outstanding, and will leave your senses absolutely numb in awe. No, it's more in the fact that there are no silly keyboards here, no narrations, no symphony orchestra, no extra effects to clutter up the wonderful music! In stead you get some great speed/power metal, but also a stellar power ballad in "From The Dust Of Ages". Do yourself a favor and check this one out!
Killer tracks: The Law, Not Alone, Buy Or Die, Telemania, Touch The Light, Terminal Earth, From The Dust Of Ages
MENTAL RESERVATION (1995) MASSACRE
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Line-up : Axel A.J. Julius as The String'tormentor // Guitar Haridon Lee as The Naked Duke // Vocals John A.B.C. Smith as Mr.Bassic Instinct // Bass D.D. Bucco as Lord of the Drums // Drums |
Apparently there was quite a brawl within the band after the recording of 'Terminal Earth'. Vocalist Coe was forced out, and the band was left in a hiatus for over 5 years. However bandleader Axel Julius resurrected the band in 1995, releasing the concept album, 'Mental Reservation', with an all new line-up. This time featuring the Polish vocalist Haridon Lee, real name Leszek Szpigiel (ex-Crow), bassist John A.B.C. Smith (Gallow's Pole) and drummer D.D. Bucco. Smith was succeeded by Marc Simon after the record was released. 'Mental Reservation' is yet another speed metal album, border lining thrash at times. But there are also many hints of the power metal to come on subsequent releases also. We even get treated to a power ballad in the beautiful "Your Infallible Smile". But for the most the music is fast, and precisely played. Yet they fail to succeed the success of 'Terminal Earth'. I have to blame two specific factors for that. First I don't find the new vocalist to be even close to the greatness of S.L. Coe, and secondly, the songwriting just isn't as good this time around. Thus the album comes across as a little uninspired, and even forced. Still, if you look back on what else was being released under the power metal tag in 1995, I dare say that Scanner are holding it up nicely. It's just that they so much to live up to after the terrific 'Terminal Earth'.
Killer tracks: Break The Seal, Your Infallible Smile, Nightmare
BALL
OF THE DAMNED (1997) MASSACRE
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Line-up: Guest: Ralf Scheepers - vocals on 1 |
Only one member is left from the original line-up. And the music has changed quite a bit too. They have gained a more epic/orchestral style that suits them well. This was the album that turned me on to Scanner. And I just love this kind of melodic power metal. But after discovering some of the older Scanner material, I'm not sure I like the change all that much. Still, 'Ball Of The Damned' is filled with quality metal, released when this sort of thing was exploding onto the scene. Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear/ex-Gamma Ray) does the vocal job on "Puppet On A String", and an excellent cover of the Queen-classic "Innuendo" doesn't hurt either.
Killer tracks: Puppet On A String, Frozen Under The Sun, True Stories Teller, Ball Of The Damned, Innuendo
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Line-up: |
5 years went by before yet another incarnation of Scanner appeared. And this time they jumped on the Nightwish bandwagon, hiring a female vocalist. Sadly though, as most bands who tried to cash in on the popularity of the Finnish band also did wrong, they didn't find a particularly good vocalist. So the band ended up sounding like a second rate Dark Moor or Edenbridge. The music is still very symphonic in nature, and most of the songs does sound good in their own right. But with Lisa behind the mic, they all fall a bit short, and the overall sound become very generic. Too bad, because this band really had everything going for them.
Killer tracks: Till The Ferryman Dies
S.L.Coe guest appearances:
Ulan Bator - 'Cut' (as producer)
Related artists:
SCANTROPOLIS (2002) MASSACRE