Get ready as Screamer are back full of energy and raring to go with their upcoming release Kingmaker due out this month!

It’s their enthusiasm, the physically tangible intensity of their songs and their irrepressible drive that has always set Screamer apart from other acts. The Swedish band surrounding vocalist Andreas Wikström benefits no end from the group’s amazing energy in combination with the musicians’ inspiring and diverse songwriting. This rewarding mix has already produced four studio albums and one live recording since 2011. Screamer’s latest offering ‘Kingmaker’ is scheduled for release on Steamhammer/SPV on 13 January 2023. As its predecessors, ‘Kingmaker’ sparkles with a wealth of songs in the catchment area of classic heavy metal, the kind that has been an integral part of our lives since the early 1980s. At the same time, Screamer skinsman Henrik Petersson promises his band’s most mature and focused album yet, saying: “‘Kingmaker’ had us refine our signature style even more and bring out the essence of our strongest fortes.” 

Screamer came together in Ljungby in 2009, a small town between Malmö and Gothenburg. Their previous studio albums, ‘Adrenaline Distractions’ (2011), ‘Phoenix’ (2013) ‘Hell Machine’ (2017) and ‘Highway Of Heroes’ (2019), saw the five-piece deliver straightforward statements featuring dynamic riffs, tasteful twin guitars, punchy grooves and deeply melodic vocals. Screamer have played well over three hundred concerts, including acclaimed shows at renowned festivals such as Headbangers Open Air, Rock Hard Open Air, Summer Breeze, Bang Your Head and Muskelrock. A representative testament to the quintet’s enthusiasm for playing live saw the light of day in January 2021: The songs on their ‘Live Sacrifice’ live album were cut during their European tour between autumn 2019 and spring 2020, with ‘Kingmaker’ now seamlessly picking up where its predecessors left off.

New songs such as ‘Renegade’, ‘Chasing The Rainbow’ and ‘Hellfire’ are typical Screamer numbers. Says Petersson: “In addition, they show what we are about this time, musically as well as in terms of content. Normally our lyrics are about life on tour, the joys of heavy metal and the life that goes with it.” However, the unusual, melancholy ‘The Traveler’ is not your typical Screamer fare. “‘Kingmaker’ also features socio-critical approaches, for example on ‘Ashes And Fire’, and fantasy influences on ‘Sounds Of The Night’, which you might refer to as little adventure stories,” adds vocalist Andreas Wikström.

Wikström is not only Screamer’s vocalist, but also the band’s main lyricist, with a sure instinct for fantastic choruses. Along with longstanding members, guitarist Dejan Rosić, described by his colleagues as a “riff machine and Bosnian Santana”, and bassist Fredrik Svensson Carlström (“a real animal on stage!”) there’s drummer Henrik Petersson, who not only started the band, but is also its manager and organisational backbone. Guitarist Jon Morheim has only recently joined the Screamer fold and is a true riff virtuoso whose great technical skill has been instrumental in propelling Screamer to the next musical level.

These five have combined their talent, experience and undiminished driving ambition and are set to unleash ‘Kingmaker’, the strongest album of their career to date. Before the album sees the light of day on 13 January 2023, the first lead single ‘Kingmaker’ will be out on 16 September 2022, followed by ‘Hellfire’ on 28 October 2022 and ‘The Traveler’ on 9 December 2022, all three of them supported by outstanding video clips. So preparations for the festivities are already under way to ensure a worthy coronation ceremony of the Screamer King!

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ALBUM REVIEW

The album starts with the albums title track Kingmaker. This mid tempo track promises plenty of stomping, tasty chunky riffs and loads of ringing Kingmaker chants that will have you singing along with all your buddies in no time. A strong yet pleasing opening track to the album. If you love to fist pump with passion then get ready! This is certainly setting itself up to be a crowd pleaser!

Moving on to Rise Above, Screamer begin to ignite the fire with this more uptempo number. Full of thundering riffs and guitar harmonies, the second album track takes full charge. Andreas Wikström’s smooth vocals help to carry this track against the fierce guitar works that crush throughout!

The Traveler is the first stand out track of the new album. The big opening guitar work really does set the tone before taking you on a journey. With its catchy guitar passages mixed in with the prominent, airy and futuristic feel of the synths, you are set sailing through a different dimension . The solo is particularly notable soaring high with sweet flying, fluttering notes and delicious tapping. A brilliant third track for Kingamaker!

Hellfire kicks off with a very classic feeling harmonised melody before taking off full speed with evil and dark sounding guitar work. It’s certainly more of an uptempo track with all the punch and energy you could want. The drums of Henrik Petersson are pounding and the solos again really shine bright, showing off the talents of Jon Morheim and Dejan Rosić. The song delivers plenty of moments where you can feel the build up and gathering power!

Chasing the Rainbow starts off with an unexpected organ intro before dropping into an epic and high speed track which once again has some stand out sections that will blow your mind, especially on the solo sections. Screamer certainly know how to keep the energy going here and there is no sign of slowing down. “Chasing the Rainbow” has plenty sparkle and vibrance that proves it to be another killer track!

Ashes and Fire is next up and this slower paced track instantly catches your attention with a bold and vibrant vocal passage from Andreas Wikström. From then expect another heavy stomper, with riffs that will chomp at your ears and melodies that will ring high. Again another song that has plenty of classic moments that will take you back, not to mention a brilliant solo that takes off above the clouds.

Exploding on your ear drums is the epic, full speed song Burn It Down. This song is fast and fierce and provides plenty of meat to get your teeth stuck into. Andreas Wikström brings his high pitched vocals into this song which adds something a little different and will make you sing your heart out. Throw in chances for fist pumping and you have yet another banger! Get ready for another great song to sing along to with its catchy chorus!

Fall of a Common Man continues the fast tone of this album with plenty of fast picking and action packed harmonies that will have you head banging through out! It opens with big screaming guitar notes before chucking you into a hard and heavy anthem. It is a track that is furious and full of steam like a train coming at you head on! Feel the fire and heat!

Sounds of The Night has a lot of character with its driving guitar work and catchy chorus lyrics “sounds of the night.” Expect a track full of interesting ideas weaving in and out combined with smooth yet rocketing guitar solos. Plenty of little tempo changes before thrashing it out towards the end!

The final track Renegade rounds off the album and is satisfying end to a relatively great album. Andreas Wikström again stands out on this track with his unique sounding vocals. The song delivers on great heavy hitting rhythm guitar ideas and little harmonising melodies.

CONCLUSION

Screamer are a band that are great at writing strong and powerful songs that you could imagine having hordes of people singing along too. They are definitely talented musicians and this album delivers on energy, big singing moments and solid riffs. While there are some moments of simplicity, the band still pull of a worthy album that does not shy away from ripping riffs and catchy moments. So if you are Screamer fan this is certainly a worthy addition to your collection!

THE NWOTHM SCORE: 8/10