Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Scanner - Scantropolis - reviewed by: EC

Track Listing1. Till the ferryman dies 2. Hallowed be my name 3. Flight of the eagle 4. Turn of the tide 5. Always Alien 6. Engel Brechts 7. Sister Mary 8. The gambler 9. Rest in pain R.I.P. 10. Till the ferryman dies (Live in Stockholm)

Well I've waited five years for the new Scanner record. After putting out four fantastic power metal albums in the 90s, this German band returns with Scantropolis, the first album with new vocalist Lisa Croft. I'm not surprised to see a new vocalist, as Scanner's five records have had four differnt voices. I was slightly alarmed that the band chose a female singer however, but was hoping that the sound wouldn't "soften" up any. Unfortunately, they did.

In fact I would venture to say this is one of the worst pieces of trash my CD player has been exposed to in recent months. Of the album's ten tracks, only two of them are even remotely heavy metal. The first being the glorious "Sister Mary" and the other being a throwback to early Scanner, "Hallowed Be My Name". This release is just a pop, industrial, anti-metal nightmare. I can't believe that this is the same band that put out "Ball Of The Damned" five years ago! Wow, its just amazing how a band can change that much in that length of time. The lineup is almost completely different now, with guitar player Axel Julius and Marc Simon being the only members left from past glory.

I suggest all Scanner fans, and metal fans in general, to stay clear of this record. If you like teeny-bopper pop albums like Michelle Branch or Avril Lavigne, please pick this one up and tell all your friends about it. I really hope that Scanner can get their ass back on track and put this album far behind them. Scantropolis.....for God's sake give me a fucking break!
--EC 2.20.03