Scanner was a German speed/power metal band that was formed in 1986 from the remnants of a band called Lions Breed.   Adopting a science fiction theme as their modus operandi, the band released their first album, Hypertrace, in 1988.  If memory serves me correctly, Hypertrace was released about a month before another science fiction concept album, Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime.   The album doesn't really feel like a 'concept' album, however, due to several factors.  First of all, the songs are varied enough in structure (fast paced dual lead guitar rockers like Warp 7 and R.M.U.,

interspersed with enough mid tempo numbers to hold your attention.  Secondly, the biggest reason is because the songs are not arranged in sequential order.  Seriously, the tunes are out of 'conceptual' order, and some (Wizard Force and Galactos) were not even on the original release!   In case you're interested, or too stoned to figure it out, here is the story:

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During World War II the military ordered the formation of a commando troop out of seven convicts. With scientific help these seven were trained and genetically manipulated to become a super combat unit.

The mutant soldiers went berserk, and directed all their strength and superior skills against their commanders. The rebels had to be annihilated ("Grapes of Fear"), so they were shot into space, and their rockets exploded, except one ("Locked Out"), which was found by aliens ("Wizard Force"). The aliens taught the mutant survivor to bring peace to the world ("Retaliation Positive").

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"R.M.U." stands for "Reticular Modular Unit" and is the device depicted on the cover.

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