Senser

Senser are a London rock group formed in the late 1980s by musicians from South West London. The line-up includes Heitham Al-Sayed on vocals, Kerstin Haigh on vocals, Nick Michaelson on guitar, John Morgan on drums, James Barrett on bass, and Andrew Clinton, who joins in 1992 after working as a Spiral Tribe DJ. Haggis also contributes as engineer, producer and programmer in the early line-up.

Style and influence

The group’s music combines rock, rap and electronic elements. Their early work places them among the first acts to record a rap-rock crossover sound, and they are widely regarded as pioneers of nu metal. They are also linked with the later success of The Prodigy, who extend the blend of rock and dance music further.

Albums and activity

Senser’s first album, Stacked Up, appears in 1994. After the group splits in 1999, Heitham Al-Sayed and John Morgan form Lodestar, a four-piece with a more melodic, metal-oriented approach and less electronic emphasis. Kerstin Haigh later leads vocals on Senser’s next album, Asylum, which has stronger dance and drum and bass influences and includes remixes across a two-disc release.

The original line-up reunites in 2003 to compile the band’s two 1990s albums, and this period also produces new material released as Schematic in 2004. The band later issues How To Do Battle, which continues their mix of older Senser material with melodic and dance influences from Lodestar and Asylum. Senser remain active from London.