Previously known as LIONS BREED ( a German Metal act that released the 1985 album on the Earthshaker label entitled "Damn The Night" the group changed the vocalists and the drummer and became SCANNER in 1986, adopting an on stage sci-fi image.


SCANNER appeared in 1987 with the opener track "GALACTOS" on the "DOOMSDAY NEWS" compilation by NOISE RECORDS, Berlin. The group’s debut album, "HYPERTRACE", was produced by ELOY vocalist Frank Bornemann and was released in 1988. Backing vocals for this outing were contributed by Ralph Scheepers (today Primal Fear). The Japanese Release of this album added the exclusive track "Galactos" from the DOOMSDAY NEWS compilation.


In 1991 the second album, "TERMINAL EARTH", had been released the group had parted company with vocalist Michael Knoblich and replaced him with the Yugoslavian born ex-ANGEL DUST front man S.L. Coe. When personality clashes erupted between Coe and his band mates the vocalist was forced out in 1993.


Guitarist and bandleader Axel Julius (also producer aka Nigel Boston) recruited a new line up for SCANNER to release the "MENTAL RESERVATION" album in 1995 for the MASSACRE RECORDS label and JVC Victor Entertainment, Japan. The band comprised Polish vocalist Haridon Lee, bassist John A.B.C. Smith and drummer D.D. Bucco for this album, although Smith was succeeded by Marc Simon shortly after the record was released.


1997’s "BALL OF THE DAMNED" would prove an ambitious affair as the band took on cover version of QUEEN’s epic "Innuendo". Ralph Scheepers, by now in PRIMAL FEAR, also appeared once more lending vocals to "Puppet On A String". Touring to promote the album saw headline European dates with support act UNREST before a further round of shows on a package billing with FATES WARNING and OMEN. In summer ‘97 SCANNER appeared first time at W.O.A., Wacken Open Air, Germany.


SCANNER ‘s 2002 release was brandishing the new studio album "SCANTROPOLIS". At this stage the new look band comprised female vocalist Lisa Croft, guitarists Axel Julius and Thilo Zaun, bass player Marc Simon, keyboard player Johannes Brunn and drummer Jan Zimmer. The album closes with an unaccredited version of "Till The Ferryman Dies" recorded live in Stockholm.


In 2003 Greek vocalist Efthimios Ioannidis joined the band and is SCANNER’s most constant singer until today’s line-up. SCANNER played a lot of shows whole of Europe in the past years and will come up with their 6th album, "THE JUDGEMENT".
Release Date: January the 23rd, 2015, MASSACRE RECORDS











Quote:
I would not have thought in my wildest dreams about a comeback from German speed metaliacs Scanner. The band from Gelsenkirchen, Germany had two pretty good records in the end of the 80's. In 2002 their latest record "Scantropolis" was published before the band disbanded.


And now the unforeseen new album "The judgement" is now in the starting blocks; waiting to be released during January via Massacre Records. It is a bit of the same question as it was with the new Stormwitch longplayer: What to expect?


Compared to the guys from Swabia, Scanner's "The judgement" became a real surprise. The new record contains 10, mainly fast, power metal anthems and one intro. The sound of the album is powerful and the big gain is singer Efthimios Ionnidis. His voice fits very good to the German speed metal from Scanner and he is doing a great job.


But also the riffs of bandleader Axel Julius are remarkable. One of those is the base for the heavy "Warlord". The song has an enormous punch and the high vocals of Ionnidis remind to old days in power metal. "Warlord" is a definite highlight on the album.


Looking back on "Hypertrace, the debut, and "Terminal earth", Scanner was known for their outer space passion. This comes back in "Eutopia", which is a mid pace rocker that grooves very well.


Looking on the seven minutes of "Battle of Posedon" you might expect an epical metal anthem. But Scanner pushes the pedal to the metal and here and there the early Helloween is shining through. This was actually a thought I had a few times while listening to the album. Scanner brings back this typical German speed metal from the 80's. Listen to "The race" and you know what I mean.


That Scanner can also reduce the pace without losing the heaviness is what they show with "Known better". It's a slower track that has an gloomy chorus and the riff reminds very much to Dream Theater. Pretty cool stuff.


"The judgement" was a big surprise to me. Scanner added an album to their discography that at least can live up to the first two records of the band. I personally think, that it's even their best one so far. Welcome back.





Line-Up:
Axel "A.J." Julius - Guitars (ex-Lions Breed)
Efthimios Ioannidis - Vocals (ex-Levamnon)
Andreas Zeidler - Guitars (ex-Levamnon)
Patrick Klose - Drums (Bright Guardians, ex-Dawn of Destiny, ex-Elmsfire)
Jonathan Sell - Bass (ex-Incubus Dreams)




Playlist:
01. Intro 00:50
02. F.T.B. 04:02
03. Nevermore 05:55
04. Warlord 05:20
05. Eutopia 06:13
06. The Judgement 05:12
07. Battle of Poseidon 07:17
08. Pirates 04:56
09. Known Better 04:41
10. The Race 05:12
11. The Legionary 05:17




Discography:
Studio albums:
"HYPERTRACE" (album, 1988 / re-released 2006 and 2013)
"TERMINAL EARTH" (album, 1989 / re-released 2006 and 2013)
MENTAL RESERVATION" (album, 1995)
"BALL OF THE DAMNED" (album, 1997)
"SCANTROPOLIS"(album 2002)
"The Judgement"(album 2015)





Info:
Artist: Scanner
Album: The Judgement
Genre: Heavy
SubGenre: Speed / Power
Country Of Origin: Germany
Year: January 23rd 2015
Audio codec: Mp3
Riptype: cd-rip
Bitrate: CBR 320 kbps
Size: 131 Mb
Included - Front










Genre: Heavy
Subgenre: Speed / Power Metal
Bitrate: 320 k
Size: 127.19 MB
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