Skanners - The Serial Healer |
Published February 16 2008
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Soul Finder |
| Genre | Speed/Power Metal |
Claudio Pisoni
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Vocals
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| Tracks | 10 |
Fabio Tenca
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Guitar
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| Runningtime | 43 Min. |
Walther Unterhauser
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Guitar
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| Label | My Graveyard Productions |
Renato Olivari
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Bass
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| Release | 10 Jan. 2008 |
Kranauer Christian
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Drums
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| Country | Italy |
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Keyboard
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| Similar artists | Scanner, Primal Fear, Silent Force | ||
The battalion Skanners are Italian icons. Apparently,
they have been in existence in one incarnation or another for over 25
years. I wish I was more familiar with their releases. When I first
heard of them, I thought they had chosen to spell their name with a
"k" to avoid confusion with Scanner from Germany, who have
also been around, in one form or another for 25 years; accounting for
the metal domination of Lion's Breed. Incidentally, Skanners have more
in common with Scanner, then just the similar spelling. Both bands represent
metal preservation, playing straight 80's influenced music, borrowed
from the Beast: Judas Priest, and all those bands who emulate and embrace
the Metal Gods.
I remember when Flagellum Dei came out (by the way, what is with all
these Latin names?). Flagellum Dei roughly translates as "Scourge
of God"; but to the Ecclesiastic Roman mindset, it rendered as
the "Divine Sting of Consciousness" (see Thomas Aquinas if
you are intrigued by Theological exegesis). I doubt the band had anything
like that in mind. Provided their ancestral nature, they probably just
portrayed the pious whiplash style in reference to the barbaric invasions,
and brutality of Imperial Rome. Nevertheless, I always wanted to hear
this acclaimed release on Underground Symphony. I never did procure
this magic square with depictions of war's mortal way of life; even
though I have seen it on E-bay for a reasonable price. After a while,
I mistakenly associated Skanners with all other Rhapsody(Of Fire) &
Labyrinth clones culminating from Italy, so in the busy shuffle, I simply
lost touch with them.
Seven wistful years later my soul finds - The Serial Healer, and I'm
moved by the vibrations of steel. If you yearn for those halcyon days
when Primal Fear reigned beyond darkness, blackening out the sun with
their nuclear fire, Skanners' brainstorms will enlighten. If you spun
the weal of fortune, when Sinner recognized the true nature of evil,
then like a hawk in the sky, programmed to trace, Skanners will seek
and secure Perchance, you are infatuated by Silent Force, then like
Darryl Revok (Michael Ironside in David Cronenberg's sci-fi horror classic),
Skanners will suck your brain dry.
The sacred heart of vocalist Claudio Pisoni pulses like the metal devil
in a cage: welcome to hell, destroyer! He easily enchants with that
Sean Peck, Ralph Scheepers, S.L. Coe, D.C. Cooper, timber. His iron
hoarse enunciations, sound more German than Italian. His impersonation
of Ralph is more in line with the Tyran Pace days, and his terminal
dearth tone is more reminiscent of S.L. Coe's Re-Actor phase.
I never did understand why Scanner wanted Ralph Scheepers to replace
the hyper phrases of Michael 'M.A.J.O.R.' Knoblich. His warped, severed
screams, were a unique criterion on Hypertrace. I guess after his departure,
this is why they invited S.L. Coe into the "buy or die" fold,
when they began recording Terminal Earth. It just so happens that Kai
Hansen's lust for life coincided with Mr. Scheepers' free time, and
he recruited Ralph for Gamma Ray, before Scanner reacted, leaving them
locked out in the cold..
Continuing with the mission and message of The Serial Healer, every
song merits more solicitous inquiry. Each track is enjoyable as its
own entity, and should placate almost every mettle mind's odyssey. Soul
Finder is an excellent way to initiate the search for wisdom, with its
intense spiritual thrust. Welcome To Hell is venomously virulent. Each
song fluctuates and flourishes in the Priest like prism. The title track
is my endearing selection for most memorable melody. This piece of the
passion is evocative, serene, and very involved,. As I play it over
and over, while composing this, the chords and words really strike a
nerve.
The thundering Flash Razor is another armed and dangerous assault on
the senses, seeking a painkiller. Beyond Darkness descends into guitar
fury, as Fabio & Walther trade off on each solo. The Dream and Immortality
are slower songs, but not obligatory ballads; and they allow for a deeper
ponderance. All songs seem to fulfill a certain story line.
If you honour those bands who play straight razor riffs like Godiva,
Sinner, &, Mind Odyssey, and you appreciate updated production values,
mid-pace time changes, and sincere mettle convictions, then I encourage
you to seek out Skanners' imprint.
As an addendum, I would like to dedicate this script as a requiem for
a good friend who recently passed. He was truly "The Serial Healer"
to me. Eddie Vacation, you "Heavy Metal Hamster", enjoy the
journey!
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Performance
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Originality
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Production
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Vocals
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Songwriting
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7 |
6,5 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
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Summary
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7 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel |
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