Screamer – Kingmaker
Origin: Ssix
Release: 13.01.2023
Label: steam hammer
Duration: 39:39
Genre: Heavy Metal
The Swedes of Screamer were founded in 2009 and since then have regularly delivered more than solid contributions in the category of traditional heavy metal. So is Kingmaker meanwhile the studio album number five and has to stick to the very good and universally acclaimed predecessor Highway Of Heroes get measured.
In the past three years since the last release Screamer 2022 with Live Sacrifice an impression of their stage presence. But the cast carousel has also turned a bit further. guitarist Anton Fingal is no longer part of the party. For him now brings Jon Morheim into the strings to vibrate.
Traditional material in a modern guise
To what extent the line-up change had an acoustic effect cannot be said exactly. The new album Kingmaker basically sounds completely different than the predecessor from 2019. Although the musical trend is still traditional heavy metal, the new disc is produced in a very modern way in terms of production technology.
Loud, crystal clear and modern, it bangs out of the speakers. In this respect, the album seems a lot more modern than the material delivered so far, despite all the solid and classic metal pieces. It will be interesting to see how fans and listeners rate this.
Energetic, ballad-free fare
The lyrics of Screamer all come from the singer Andreas Wikström. As is often the case, they revolve around themes such as kings, battles, rainbows and hellfire. The classic lyric program, that too Ronnie James Dio gladly served in the 1980s. The Swedes play the ten new pieces mainly at a high tempo. Already the opener and title track Kingmaker shows the way forward. You can do the fast, stomping number HERE listen
In fact, it’s either the fast or the somewhat slow-paced mid-tempo numbers, like The Travelerthat captivate the listener. The quick highlights are, in the best Judas Priest Way, Hellfire and the driving Burn It Down. This track also sticks in the memory because of the high-pitched choirs sung with head voices. Stands out from the other compositions Chasing The Rainbow. Here the use of the Hammond organ works particularly well. Their sound serves both as background music and as a solo instrument and counterweight to the guitars.
In the express through the night
The counterpart to this is Ashes And Fire. The track seems a bit calmer. Despite all the energy, the song exudes dignity and a certain epic. After all Screamer don’t often stay in mid-tempo. It follows until the end of the album only fast material.
Fall Of A Common Man stomps like a locomotive under full steam and offers a great solo of both guitars. The following Sounds Of The Night doesn’t sound so thoughtful at all and looks like a Teutonic speed metal number from the 1980s. It remains ballad-free and therefore the final one Renegade also another good Metal number with melodic vocal lines and excellent guitar work.
Conclusion
Screamer serve friends of traditional Heavy Metal once more. Kingmaker but was dressed in a modern sound robe and looks like a locomotive constantly running at full steam. The middle section in particular shines with a lot of energy, great guitar work and musical variety. 8 / 10
Line Up
Andreas Wikstrom – vocals
Jon Morheim – guitar
Dejan Rosic – Guitar
Fredrik Svensson Carlström – Bass
Henrik Petersson – drums
Tracklist
01. Kingmaker
02. Rise Above
03. The Traveler
04. Hellfire
05. Chasing The Rainbow
06. Ashes And Fire
07. Burn It Down
08. Fall Of A Common Man
09. Sounds Of The Night
10. Renegade
Links
Website Screamer
Facebook Screamer
Instagram Screamer
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