Scanner - Biography
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1988-
Biography
Previously known as Lions Breed, a Metal act that released a 1985 album on the Earthshaker label entitled 'Damn The Night, the group underwent line up changes and became Scanner in 1986, adopting an on stage sci-fi image. The group's debut album, Hypertrace was produced by Eloy vocalist Frank Bornemann. Backing vocals for this outing were contributed by Tyrans Pace man Ralph Scheepers. Japanese... versions of this album added the exclusive track 'Galactos'.
By the time the second album, Terminal Earth, had been released the group had parted company with Knoblich, the singer briefly joined Jester's March recording a demo with that band, and replaced him with the Yugoslavian born ex-Angel Dust frontman S.L. Coe. This was not their first choice though, Scanner just having missed out by a matter of days to Gamma Ray in securing the services of Ralph Scheepers. Soon personality clashes soon erupted between Coe and his band mates and the vocalist was forced out. The band would split for a period with Coe going on to found reactor for a series of albums. In later years S.L. Coe would prove industrious as a producer as well as touting his own Metal band C.O.E..
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 label and JVC Victor Entertainment Japan.. The band comprised Polish vocalist Haridon Lee, real name Leszek Szpigiel and previously having fronted Crow, bassist John A.B.C. Smith of Hallows Pole and drummer D.D. Bucco for this album, although Smith was succeeded by Marc Simon 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 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.
With Scanner once more entering a lengthy period of hiatus John A.B.C. Smith re-activated Gallows Pole. As a solo artist he would also release the 1995 album 'The Revelation Of John'. Szpigiel also made a return, now billing himself as 'Naked Duke' and fronting his band DUKE for a 2001 EP Escape From Reality.
Scanner would be back in 2002 brandishing a new studio album 'Scantropolis'. At this stage the new look band comprised vocalist Lisa Croft, guitarists Axel Julius and Thilo Zaun, bass player Marc Simon, keyboard player Johannes Brunn and drummer Jan Zimmer. The album would close with an unaccredited version of 'Till The Ferryman Dies' recorded live in Stockholm.
By the time the second album, Terminal Earth, had been released the group had parted company with Knoblich, the singer briefly joined Jester's March recording a demo with that band, and replaced him with the Yugoslavian born ex-Angel Dust frontman S.L. Coe. This was not their first choice though, Scanner just having missed out by a matter of days to Gamma Ray in securing the services of Ralph Scheepers. Soon personality clashes soon erupted between Coe and his band mates and the vocalist was forced out. The band would split for a period with Coe going on to found reactor for a series of albums. In later years S.L. Coe would prove industrious as a producer as well as touting his own Metal band C.O.E..
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 label and JVC Victor Entertainment Japan.. The band comprised Polish vocalist Haridon Lee, real name Leszek Szpigiel and previously having fronted Crow, bassist John A.B.C. Smith of Hallows Pole and drummer D.D. Bucco for this album, although Smith was succeeded by Marc Simon 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 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.
With Scanner once more entering a lengthy period of hiatus John A.B.C. Smith re-activated Gallows Pole. As a solo artist he would also release the 1995 album 'The Revelation Of John'. Szpigiel also made a return, now billing himself as 'Naked Duke' and fronting his band DUKE for a 2001 EP Escape From Reality.
Scanner would be back in 2002 brandishing a new studio album 'Scantropolis'. At this stage the new look band comprised vocalist Lisa Croft, guitarists Axel Julius and Thilo Zaun, bass player Marc Simon, keyboard player Johannes Brunn and drummer Jan Zimmer. The album would close with an unaccredited version of 'Till The Ferryman Dies' recorded live in Stockholm.