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CZ: SCANNER a FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE poprvé zavítají do Prahy! Těš se na power/speed metalovou artilerii riffů!EN: SCANNER and FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE will visit Prague for fisrt time! This will be a night to remeber!
SCANNER, the German speed power metal pioneers and the Greek power prog metallers FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE, in the framework of their co-headline European tour Cosmic Envy European Tour 2024, for promoting their new albums "The Cosmic Race" and "Envy", which were released through RPM-ROAR, are pleased to announce the second leg of the tour in Central Europe during coming fall.
Doors Open: 18:45
Fortress Under Siege: 19:15 - 20:25
Scanner: 20:45 - 22:00
Ticket: 350 CZK
A few words about the two bands:
SCANNER
SCANNER evolved from the band LIONS BREED (album “DAMN THE NIGHT”, Earthshaker Label/Mausoleum Records) in 1986. Their line up at that time consisted of Michael Knoblich (vocals), Tom S. Sopha (guitar), Axel A.J. Julius (guitar), Martin Bork (bass) and Wolfgang Kolorz (drums).
SCANNER’s concept albums based off of the fascinating science fiction story of the same-named fictional figure. Axel A.J. Julius, studying astronomy at this time, and Michael Knoblich, a passionate model builder, were big fans of SF when they invented the figure of the SCANNER back in 1987.
This character was to illustrate the main focus of the band: Science-Fiction, fight against war and warmongering, political structures with view of the current problems of development and peace policy and the historical, human development in this context.
In 1988 SCANNER signed with Noise Records, releasing their debut record “HYPERTRACE”, which was produced by ELOY’s vocalist Frank Bornemann. At the time, frontman Michael (M.A.J.O.R.) Knoblich’s voice was definitely one of power metal’s most impressive. Backing vocal duties were handled by PRIMAL FEAR’s very own Ralph Scheepers. SCANNER’s 1988 debut record “HYPERTRACE” has gained cult status over the years.
1989 saw the release of SCANNER’s second record “TERMINAL EARTH” (Noise Records), featuring lead vocals by S.L. Coe, formerly of ANGEL DUST. Following Coe’s departure from the band in 1993, bandleader Axel A.J. Julius put together a new line up. SCANNER subsequently released their third effort “MENTAL RESERVATION” in 1995 through Massacre Records in Europe and JVC Victor Entertainment in Japan respectively. Haridon Lee provided vocals, with John A.B.C. Smith handling bass duties and D.D. Bucco taking the seat behind the drums. Shortly after release of the record Marc Simon replaced Smith an bass.
“BALL OF THE DAMNED”, the fourth SCANNER record, followed one year later in 1996. Usually performing original material exclusively, the band decided to do a cover version of QUEEN’s classic “INNUENDO” – the first and only cover in the history of the band. Ralph Scheepers made another guest appearance on vocals on “PUPPET ON A STRING”. The band headed out on a headliner tour through Europe to promote the new record, subsequently also playing shows with FATES WARNING and OMEN.
In the summer of 1997 SCANNER went on to perform at Wacken Open Air. “SCANTROPOLIS”, SCANNER’s fifth record, was released in 2002 through Massacre Records. The band’s line up at the time consisted of vocalist Lisa Croft, guitarists Axel A.J. Julius and Thilo Zaun, Marc Simon on bass, Johannes Brunn on keyboards and Jan Zimmer (LUXUSLÄRM) on drums. Another first in SCANNER’s career, the band set German poet Bertolt Brecht’s “ENGEL BRECHTS” to music. This would be the only exception to their otherwise exclusively english lyrics. “SCANTROPOLIS” is quite an unusual SCANNER record. However, there are SCANNER fans that insist it is the band’s best effort of all. Bandleader and guitarist Axel A.J. Julius looks back on “SCANTROPOLIS” as a one-off experiment. He recently mentioned in a number of interviews that SCANNER’s current members have little relation to “SCANTROPOLIS” and the (unreleased) material of that era.
SCANNER returned to its roots …and in 2015 the band released its sixth studio album through Massacre Records, finally featuring vocalist Efthimios Ioannidis, who has been handling lead vocals since 2002. “THE JUDGEMENT” picked up where “HYPERTRACE” left off. Some reviewers even went so far as to call “THE JUDGEMENT” the strongest release by the band. In 2017, “THE GALACTOS TAPES” Best of SCANNER celebrates the band’s 30th anniversary.
Fast forward to 2022, the band signed a multi-album deal with RPM-ROAR, with their first effort “THE COSMIC RACE” realeased on January 12,2024!
FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE
Formed in the mid 90’s, Athens based FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE deliver power prog metal, combining traditional heavy metal with technical and melodic power metal. Having released their debut self-titled mini-CD in 1996, FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE is among the first Greek bands that ever-played progressive power metal. Since then, they have released three full albums “The Mortal Flesh of Love” (2011), “Phoenix Rising” (2014), “Atlantis” (2020).
During the pandemic, the band started rehearsing the new material and consequently, in the summer of 2021, enters the Devasoundz Studios once again, with Fotis Benardo as the producer to record the new album "ENVY". With the new record in its arsenal, the band at the ending of 2022 signs a new multi-record deal with ROAR! Rock of Angels Records, a deal that guarantees the professional prospect of the band throughout the years. “ENVY”, their most powerful album ever offer’s modern power metal without losing their connection with their past. The lyrical background offers again a wide variety, dealing with social, historical, sci-fi, mythological matters. An original masterpiece painting of Ioannis Koutrikas decorates once again the cover of the new record, functioning as an allegory of envy, a female beauty with horns.
Having shared the stage with bands like Accept, Helloween, Epica Hammerfall, Battle Beast, Guano Apes, Serious Black among others and played several gigs and festivals, FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE having joined forces with German speed power metallers SCANNER are preparing their co-headline European tour, while they have also confirmed their headline appearance at HELM FEST 2024 in Germany coming August, with many more live shows to be announced very soon!
"ENVY" released on October 13, 2023 through RPM-ROAR, as Digipack CD, Black / Yellow Splatter Vinyl limited to 500 copies worldwide and digital streaming/download format.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Hospoda Brouk, Vltavská 533/22, 150 00 Praha, Česko,Prague, Czech Republic
