ALBUM REVIEW: Screamer – Kingmaker

Swedish NWOTHM titans SCREAMER are back to rock with their new studio album. Out on January 13th via Steamhammer Records.

Upbeat riffs, rocking drums and subtle organs launch into anthemic fury with powerful vocals quickly soaring into the mix. As usual, Screamer provide instantly catchy and memorable songs which get you moving to the classic rhythmic punchiness. Compared to the previous efforts, there is a slightly more epic / fantasy kind of a feeling that is conveyed well within the parameters of traditional Heavy Metal worship. I think the organs play a part in this but also the mood of the songs is one of triumph. Blistering melodies showcase their skill set while keeping things succinct and feisty with an extremely strong rhythm section. The extremely clean mix allows the mesmerising vocal work to fit gorgeously in with the instrumental battering, calling to arms all headbangers with a melodious and very pleasant tone to the vocals. “Highway of Heroes” had some more sombre touches to it, and a feeling of adventuring toward potential battle with more range in moods and expressions. This record seems to be the destination, a much more straightforward and yet still exciting listen from the opening tracks.

Blending more soft tracks like “The Traveller” without losing their edge, Screamer definitely have a bit more of a mainstream feel on this record while it doesn’t feel weak or flaccid. That anthemic nature has always been in their music and they still make it work extremely well, from what feels like out of a genuine love for what they do. It should be obvious to anyone that as well as on the album, these songs are definitely written for a live audience to scream along to with fists in the air, or a soundtrack to roaring down a highway in the night. There is no denying the genuine sense of fun in the music while it isn’t some vapid guitar-pop at all. “Chasing The Rainbow” has a really sharp bite with stunning guitar work, great cymbal use from the drummer and a bit more speedy sleaze to it, rendering it one of the heavier pieces which totally rips. This dynamic with more operatic choruses feels like a very well-written song that stands out as a real high point of the record. I can say for certain they’ve kept my attention.

I feel that their progression might be a problem for a few, but for many will be welcome and definitely a new listener with a hunger for 80s Heavy Metal and Hard Rock that wouldn’t be out of place in a huge arena will dig this record from the first listen. But with this elephant out of the room, we haven’t lost any of the older material and the moves they make feel like they are made with conviction and leave us with some awesome music to enjoy. There seems to be a shift among a couple of Swedish bands to the more arena-suited sound, as Enforcer seem to have walked a similar path with their last record. Closing on my favourite track of the album, the extremely infectious “Renegade” is a genius move that will keep the song playing in your head after the disc is done, leaving you wanting more. Writing catchy songs is in Swedish Heavy Metal DNA, for example some true titans; Heavy Load, Torch, Gotham City, Onyx, Mindless Sinner, the list goes on. So it should hardly be a surprise and I think Screamer are one of those bands who pull it off really well without sounding weak. While Screamer, Ambush, Tyrann, Enforcer and so on have the more rocking and singalong friendly sound, there are plenty of bands playing a bit heavier like Armory, Zatyr, Ram, Trial and Portrait, so Sweden clearly has a lot to offer and each band has its valuable place in their scene. As for “Kingmaker”, its place seems to be an anthem of high-octane 80s Heavy Metal worship that verges on some softer elements without ruining what they have built.

Likely Screamer’s most accessible album to date. They continue to blast out classic Heavy Metal worship of great quality with songs that stick in your head, and while I think “Highway of Heroes” is my favourite of their LPs, there is definitely plenty worth hearing on “Kingmaker” that I am certain will be appreciated by fans and win over new audience members.