Forged in the Ruhrpott: Scraper’s Infinite Journey
Forged in the Ruhrpott: Scraper’s Infinite Journey
Forged in the Ruhrpott: Scraper’s Infinite JourneyScraper aren’t just another thrash band clawing their way out of Germany’s legendary Ruhrpott — they’re a force shaped by steel, sweat, and the unmistakable grit of a region that birthed Kreator and Sodom. Bassist and lyricist Simon Royal steps into the spotlight to talk about the band’s origins, their story‑driven new album Infinite Journey, and the surreal thrill of sharing stages with icons like Tankard, Holy Moses, and soon, Voivod. What follows is a candid, energetic look inside a band pushing forward with heart, humor, and a whole lot of heavy riffs.
Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Scraper, and how long the band has been together.
Hi, Simon here. I play bass and write all lyrics. We’ve been together since 2016. The current lineup exists since 2022.
Where is the band based out of and what is your local metal scene like there?
We are located in the northern part of a big industrial area in Northrhine-Westphalia, called Ruhrgebiet or more colloquial Ruhrpott. Our scene is well known worldwide! Legendary bands like Kreator and Sodom started their careers here. It’s a really big scene with many opportunities to play and see some great shows.
Is there any overall story or concept behind your Infinite Journey album title?
Yes, it is indeed a story-driven album. It describes in 3 acts the rise and fall of an artificial being. To make it short, it’s the intersection of anxiety, identity, and technology as forces of both creation and destruction.
Select two songs from Infinite Journey and what inspired the lyrics.
I’d like to say the opening track “The Infinite Journey” and the last track “Inheritance of the Grand Design“. The first one is inspired by my general interest in everything about science fiction, especially space traveling. If you listen closely you can hear how the hyperdrive is engaged :). And “Inheritance of the Grand Design” is the end of all and a new beginning. All at once. I really enjoyed writing the lyrics for this album.
What could one expect from a live Scraper show?
If you come to one of our shows you will see some guys having the best time of their lives, standing in sweat to their knees, keeping a smile all the way down.
What was the experience like opening for Tankard and did you get to meet or hang out with them at all?
It was a blast! Sadly we hadn’t that much time to hang out together, it was their third show on their tour and they needed to rest.
What was the experience like opening for Holy Moses and did you get to meet or hang out with them at all?
This was legendary. We all grew up with Holy Moses and to be around Sabina Classen felt pretty weird because we only knew her from our teenage days. She was extremely friendly and is a great person!
If Scraper could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?
Oh, this is an easy one: Voivod. And as a matter of fact, we are going to open for them on 7/23/26 at Turock, Essen, Germany!!! Unbelievable!! We all have different approaches when it comes to metal. Voivod is and was always the lowest common denominator and we love them from the bottom of our blackened hearts.
You released your first single “Apparition” right before the COVID pandemic began. What was it like releasing music during that historic time?
Looking back, the timing couldn’t have been worse. We were incredibly proud of the release and ready to push sales, but being unable to play any shows completely killed our momentum. To be fair, this shit stopped all of us; anyway, it wasn’t the best idea.
Germany is world famous for their BEER!!! What is your beer of choice and why?
I prefer Bayreuther. It’s a Helles. A Helles is a traditional German pale lager that is malt-forward, crisp, and incredibly easy-drinking.
Are you involved with any other bands or projects outside of Scraper?
It is common practice to share a bassist in our region :D. So I used to play in 3 bands, but now I put my energy in Scraper. The songwriting process is challenging enough and I don’t need my mind spread over 2 more bands. Everybody has just Scraper in Scraper.
What’s up next for Scraper?
We are working on new material and preparing some major shows, e.g. with Voivod!
Any messages for metal bands here in the States?
Do whatever makes your boaty. Don’t listen to anyone because there might be an opportunity to earn a few bucks. Stay strong and keep on!
In Conclusion
Scraper’s path from their early days in 2016 to the ambitious scope of Infinite Journey shows a band fully committed to evolving without losing the raw joy of playing metal. Whether they’re sweating through live sets, crafting sci‑fi‑infused lyrics, or gearing up to open for Voivod, Scraper move with the momentum of musicians who know exactly who they are — and where they’re headed. With new material already in the works and major shows on the horizon, their journey is far from over. In true Ruhrpott fashion, they’re charging forward with grit, gratitude, and riffs sharp enough to cut through steel.
Thank you to Markus Eck of Metal Message ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝐸𝓈𝓉. 2001 for setting this up!
(Interview by Ken Morton)
