On disc: Scanner

 
- Mental Reservation
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
- Ball Of The Damned
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
- Scantropolis
 
- Jörg Petersen -
 
 


 
- Scantropolis
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 

Scantropolis

(Massacre Records - 2002)



 
 

 

On the 5th album of the German band of guitarist / producer Axel Julius the most obvious change is that Scanner are now fronted by a woman - by Lisa Croft. They recorded the album as a three-piece. But that didn't effect their sound as much as the female vocals. They are still playing mainly melodic power metal, but that it ain't working on all tracks as well as on the ballad Always Alien. When Miss Croft is trying to sing rough and sound dirty, she fails like on Sister Mary and Till The Ferryman Dies.

Scantropolis is showing a different side with Engel Brecht's. This is closer to Rammstein then to what they did in the past. It's the different sound as well as the German words taken from Brecht's Über die Verführung von Engeln. It gives some theatralic edge to the song. But it's misplaced in the middle of the CD! Too different from the album tracks and so it should be the last track, but that place is taken by Rest In Pain.

Well, for fans of the old Scanner this one will be disappointing. For metal fans who don't know the old stuff and who like female vocals, give it a try.
 
 










Jörg Petersen
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)

  
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Scantropolis

(Massacre Records - 2002)



 
 

 

If Scanner didn't make it after several great albums and a headliner tour, what or who should give them the kick to make it? Axel Julius, any idea? A female singer? Not really! But exactly that happened, they have a front girl now. Even if Scanner are still playing melodic power metal, this album can't convince me after the great albums they released in the past. And even if Miss Lisa Croft (nice joke!) does her best, it seems that mastermind Julius didn't choose the best possibility to make this underground stars big. When I imagine how Flight Of The Eagle would sound with powerful vocals.... Beside the powerful guitar riffing this song has nothing special. A great composition, just the realization... I hope for the band that my opinion isn't shared by the masses, coz this would be the death sentenced for one of the best German bands... At least they were one of the best. This isn't what the fans expected and even White Skull did a better job on their latest release.

Sorry Axel, but this is a non-starter. What's the name of the last track? RIP - Rest In Pain?!?! Rest In Peace would fit better!
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)

  
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Ball Of The Damned

(Massacre Records - 1997)



 
 

 

After the superb and highly praised album Mental Reservation the Gelsenkirchen-based band Scanner now released their album Ball Of The Damned which is another metal highlight. The album opener Puppets On A String is sung by Ralph Scheepers (ex-Gamma Ray), but the other tracks like Frozen Under The Sun, Tollshocked are as good as the opener. Even the cover version of Queen's Innuendo excellent! The album is a pleasure to listen to from the first to the last note. Melodic power metal with great melodies and breaks. If you should find this album in the store, buy it! Invest the money for 50 minutes of metal instead of spending it for some bullshit! The quintet deserve it!
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)

  
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Mental Reservation

(Massacre Records - 1995)



 
 

 

The last life sign of the Gelsenkirchen-based power / speed metal band I saw last year when Scanner's former singer made a fool out of him at the Grave Digger / Capricorn tour. Seems the band learnt. Now they have a new deal and a new singer - Harridon Lee and with Mental Reservation they offer a conceptual album. On the disc are 11 power metal killer tracks like After The Storm, Rubberman, Out Of Nowhere - a little more melodic - and Into A Brave Man's Mind can be seen as the highlights of the album. Great comeback!!!
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)

  
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           ©2008-2010 by Claudia Ehrhardt • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com