Ball of the Damned
Scanner · 1997
44 min · 9 tracks · power metal
A blend of theatrical storytelling and aggressive instrumentation that captures the essence of power metal with dramatic flair.
Top tracks — play these first
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Puppet on a String — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its intricate guitar work and compelling lyrics that address manipulation and control, anchoring the thematic elements present throughout.
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Frozen Under the Sun — With its haunting melodies and powerful vocal delivery, this track exemplifies Scanner's ability to blend emotional weight with technical prowess, creating an unforgettable listening experience.
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Ball of the Damned — The title track encapsulates the album's overarching themes of despair and resistance, featuring dynamic shifts in tempo that showcase both lyrical depth and musical complexity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Scanner's blend of aggressive instrumentation and theatrical storytelling defines their power metal style, though it doesn't fully stand out in the genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of dual guitar harmonies, particularly in the choruses, which is a hallmark of power metal.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word segments that enhance the storytelling aspect, creating a theatrical atmosphere.
- The tempo varies significantly across tracks, with some maintaining a relentless pace while others slow down for dramatic effect.
- The final track ends with an extended instrumental outro that fades out rather than resolving, leaving a lingering sense of ambiguity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- theatrical storytelling with intensity
- cathartic bursts of dramatic energy
- immersive narratives that unfold gradually
- dynamic shifts in pacing
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, simple compositions
- want light, background listening
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in January 1997, Ball of the Damned is Scanner's third studio album, following their 1995 release, Terminal Earth. At this point, the band was solidifying their reputation in the power metal scene while exploring darker themes and complex compositions. This album marked a decisive step in establishing their unique sound within a genre often dominated by more mainstream acts.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Helloween· Blind Guardian· Stratovarius
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Puppet on a String 6:52
- 2 Frozen Under the Sun 5:55
- 3 We Start It Tomorrow 4:59
- 4 True Stories Teller 4:05
- 5 Tollshocked 4:05
- 6 Lord Barker's Theme 1:15
- 7 Ball of the Damned 6:16
- 8 Judge on the Run 4:15
- 9 Innuendo 6:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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