Hypertrace is a science fiction

Science fiction

Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...

 concept album by the German speed metal band Scanner

Scanner (band)

Scanner is a power metal band that was formed in 1986. They released their first album, Hypertrace, in 1988 through Noise Records. The band has split up and rejoined at least twice since its creation and its only remaining original band member is the guitarist Axel A.J. Julius.-Members:*Efthimios...

. It was released by Noise Records

Noise Records (Germany)

Noise Records was a German record label founded by German music industry personality Karl-Ulrich Walterbach in 1983 as an expansion of his company Modern Music Records. Noise Records specialized in thrash and melodic speed metal. It was sold to the Sanctuary Records Group in 2001 and ceased any...

 in 1988.

For Hypertrace, Scanner's lineup consisted of:

• Michael Knoblich (M.A.J.O.R.) - vocal
• Tom S. Sopha - guitar
• Axel Julius (A.J.) - guitar
• Martin Bork - bass guitar
• Wolfgang Kolorz - drums

Track listing

1. "Warp 7"
2. "Terrion"
3. "Locked Out"
4. "Across the Universe"
5. "R.M.U."
6. "Grapes of Fear"
7. "Retaliation Positive"
8. "Killing Fields"
9. "Wizard Force" (CD-bonus)
10. "Galactos" (bonus)

Track #9 "Wizard Force" was not available on the original release, but was issued when the album was re-released.
Track #10, "Galactos" is only available on the Japanese re-release.

The songs as arranged on the album are not in conceptual order - the correct conceptual order is as follows:

1. Grapes of Fear
2. Locked Out
3. Across the Universe
4. Wizard Force (bonus track)
5. Retaliation Positive
6. Galactos (bonus track)
7. Warp 7
8. Killing Fields
9. R.M.U.
10. Terrion

Story

During World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

the military ordered the formation of a commando troop out of seven convicts.

With scientific help these seven were trained to a super combat unit by genetic manipulation.

They went berzerk, and the mutants directed all their strength and superiority against their commanders. The ("Grapes of Fear") had to be annihilated, so they were shot into space, and their rockets exploded, except one, who was ("Locked Out"), was found by aliens ("Wizard Force"), and they taught him to bring peace to the world ("Retaliation Positive").