Shooters by Skyscraper

Originally released in March 1998, 'Shooters' was the second album by London rock band Skyscraper. Recorded after a period of difficulty that resulted in a change in the band’s line up, it was the first official release to feature second guitarist Adam Lamprell (formerly of Eve Records artist The Scissormen) and ex-Sundial drummer Craig Goggle.

It is a much darker work than debut album ‘Superstate’ and in some ways it is more complex, especially some of the instrumentation, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a bleak experience. ‘Fly’ is possibly one of the most melodic pieces the band ever wrote and ‘Bury Me’ has a quiet grace that is a good counterpoint to the rest of the album. But ‘Shooters’ is not a progression from ‘Superstate’ as it’s not a bigger, better version of it. It is, however, a progression in that it is a different version of the same band and the result is a side step from the first album rather than a step forward. It is an exercise in expanding the core power of ‘Superstate’ and as such it has many fine moments.

Upon release, rock magazine Metal Hammer commented that is was “a great big bastard of a rock noise which hits home in quite a harrowing fashion” while Kerrang rated it as 4 out of 5 and described it as an “affecting union of sweeping guitars and bruising bass pulses”.

Produced by the band themselves and originally released on their own label, Dynosupreme Records, the album is presented here remastered and with an additional six bonus tracks.

SKYSCRAPER were formed in Aug 1992 by Vic Kemlicz and Adi Vines. They released their debut album SUPERSTATE in 1995. Despite considerable success, the line-up changed and the band, now featuring Kemlicz, Vines, plus Adam Lamprell and Craig Coggle, recorded the follow up SHOOTERS in 1997. Despite being favourites of the UK rock press and a successful live act, the band split in 1998.