Scanner’s new album was a good opportunity to talk to the band’s leader Axel Julius. As a fan since the early years, I make no secret that it is a great pleasure to talk to him every time. So read what he has to tell us about their new album and the band’s past. Interview: Michael Ntalakos
Rockpages.gr: Scanner are back with a new album. Now there’s 9 years difference between this album and your previous one. Why did it took so long?
Axel Julius: Well for starters we were never the band that released an album year after year! That would never work for us. Back in 2017 we worked and released the Gaklactos Tapes compilation and trust me that was a lot of work. We originally wanted to release a new album maybe five years apart.
Then covid happened! We decided not to continue working. First of all it was not easy since we couldn’t rehearse as we used to. Then there was no point in releasing an album thatw e could not promote and play live for it. So we stopped. I must say this happens often for us (laugh), making plans and many things not working (both laughing)!
Rockpages.gr: “The Cosmic Race” is another concept album. Can you tell us a few things about the story without spoiling it?
Axel Julius: Yes, well if you remember “Hypertrace” there was a song call “Terion” which was supposed to be the planed where mankind will go after whatever happened in that album. In “The Cosmic Race” we see the journey to that planet and many other things along the way. Will things will be better there?
Rockpages.gr: So, this is a continuation of that story from back then? You had this story in your mind so many years?
Axel Julius: Yes and no. I had some parts of its. But you know with all things happening on our planet the last few years you got to wonder if there’s a time where the only solution to our problems is to leave this planet and have a fresh start. So yeah, the war in Ukraine also gave me a lot of fuel over this concept album.
Rockpages.gr: In your opinion, if such a thing would ever happen, will we have a fresh start or we would repeat all our mistakes?
Axel Julius: I think its in our DNA or something. So many people want to have all the power and the money. I don’t know if we can really make a difference if we cannot put such people aside.
Rockpages.gr: You just re-released three albums as well. Can we talk about them? Let’s start with “Hypertrace” and the things that blows me is the sticker on it that says “first time released with songs in the correct order”…
Axel Julius: I haven’t seen the sticker (both laughing). Yes, I know it sounds crazy but that was something that I was supposed to do many years ago but somehow never did! Then we released the galactos tapes and a friend came to me and said “hey you have to release Hypertrace” in the correct order and I was “what? I don’t even remember the order now” (both laughs). Thankfully he did! And there you have it!
Rockpages.gr: But why was the album released in wrong order back in the day?
Axel Julius: I think it was a technical issue? Our producer and boss told us that after 20 minutes in each side of the vinyl the quality dropped so we were forced back then to release it in an order for the songs to fit!
Rockpages.gr: Speaking of re-releases. Why you haven’t released “Terminal Earth” as well?
Axel Julius: We will! All our albums will be released, we just had to break them into two parts!
Rockpages.gr: Ah ok, Let’s talk about “Mental Reservation”. We did an interview few years ago and you’ve told me that the war in Yugoslavia played an important role in the making of this album. Now another war is happening.
Axel Julius: Yes, it is true. I am against any kind of war. Maybe a few decades ago there was no other solution but in 2023 there should be no wars. Everything should be solved peacefully. But than you have people like Putin, or Trump. These people can only cause harm. And you see what’s happening all around. I don’t believe in violence but this world would be a better place without people like Putin.
So yeah, several of the lyrics of this album where heavily influenced by this war.
Rockpages.gr: Let’s jump to “Ball Of The Damned”. We get to hear Ralf Scheepers singing on “Puppet On A String” but this was not the first time you collaborated. He was supposed to sing in “Hypetrace” correct?
Axel Julius: Yes, that is true. Major was sick so we asked Ralf to sing. In fact, he did the entire album but then Major got well so we used his voice instead. Well Major left we called him but he had just joined Gamma Ray. I always liked his voice so when we recorded “Ball” we reached out to him and he was auditioning for Judas Priest. He was happy to race to our studio for this song.
Actually, we were supposed to do a show with him on vocals singing “Hypertrace” but he had too many obligations with Primal Fear and the show got canceled.
Rockpages.gr: I guess it was not meant to be (both laughing). But you have a version of Hypertrace with him on vocals… Should we expect to listen to it one day. I am not pushing you (both laughing) …
Axel Julius: Oh, I have to say no to that (both laughing)!
Rockpages.gr: “Ball” also includes the only cover you have ever done with innuendo. How did you choose that song?
Axel Julius: Funny story. There I was waking up one night at three o clock and couldn’t sleep so I opened my radio and here comes this amazing song. It was the middle part and I was blown away! I didn’t knew it so next day I described that song to the rest of the guys and they started laughing. How couldn’t I know that song from Queen? Then I told them that we should do a cover version of it and the rest is history!
Rockpages.gr: I also have a question about “Scantropolis”. That was an album that you guys faced a lot of heat from your fans. It was the album that you changed your sound drastically…
Axel Julius: Yes, that is true. Well, here’s the story behind it. Haridon Lee had just left the band and we didn’t have a singer. We had a great backing singer, a girl with a great voice. We recorded a demo with her and went to our label and they loved it! When we got back, we said to her “hey you are our singer now” and she was kind of shocked! She had a great voice but she was not comfortable with the idea of being a lead singer.
Now we had an album with female vocals lines and no singer! We searched and found Lisa. She had a great voice but too melodic. So, I had to change a lot of the tunes so she could fit in! the outcome was of course too melodic.
Lots of our heavy metal fans didn’t like that album. But we got a lot of new fans that haven’t heard us before. Well, I guess it made sense because we where a heavy metal band until then. It was very hard to promote the album? I couldn’t promote it in metal outlets that much since it wasn’t a typical metal album.
Rockpages.gr: It’s also the only album you guys haven’t release in vinyl, correct?
Axel Julius: Yes, it’s true but that will change. I can tell you that after all these years the album will be released in vinyl finally!
Rockpages.gr: Speaking about vinyl I assume you are a fan!
Axel Julius: Absolutely. I love the sound. I love the big covers and the lyrics. I understand that CD’s where technology back then but for rock and metal fans vinyl will always be the best option. I don’t know about other genres of music but for us definitely the best option. Definitely better sound than CD and of course mp3.
Rockpages.gr: Speaking about mp3. What’s your opinion about streaming services. I know that the revenues of the artists is tragic…
Axel Julius: Yes. Well of course streaming music makes it easier for the listener. You can take your music wherever you go as long as you have service. I understand that. On the other hand the money they give to the musicians are horrible. I mean if you look the money I make from digital… nah I don’t want to talk about it. If physical sales stop it will be the end of music.
Sure, bands like Iron Maiden or Judas Priest won’t have a big problem. But for all the rest, the middle and small bands it will not be possible to make more music.
Rockpages.gr: Touring! Will we see you guys here in Greece?
Axel Julius: Yes! I can’t tell you when but we are working with some Greek bands. We will do some shows here in Germany first but then we will come to Greece.
Rockpages.gr: With a career spanning many decades I have to make you a hypothetical question. If you had a chance to go back in time and change one thing in your career what change will that be?
Axel Julius: I have to say I would choose steamhammer rather Noise as a record label. Noise was maybe good for a first album but in the long run it was a problem for us. I know it was just a decision but as you know Steamhammer exists even today and back then it was a great label as well.
Rockpages.gr: Thank you for your time! Close this interview with a message to all your friends here in Greece!
Axel Julius: I can’t thank you enough! You have supported us through the years. I see all the love in our social media. Can’t wait to play for you guys live again!
