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Album Review- Screamer-Kingmaker

 

Sweden's heavy metal act Screamer has unleashed their fifth studio effort, entitled Kingmaker via SPV/Steamhammer Records.

Formed in Ljungby, Sweden in 2009, the five-piece really is a throwback to 1980s metal with towering vocals, dynamic twin-guitars and piercing grooves. The band gained influences from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Dio amongst others. They have previously released four LP'S and a live recording. 

'Kingmaker' starts off with a bang with the title track from the album getting its name. Vocalist Andreas Wikstrom powers over twin guitars that are as melodic and smooth as the rest of the band's sound. Next up is' Rise Above' to add some aggression to the band's sound. The fist-clenching riffs and punchy twin assaults from guitarists Jon Morheim and Dusan Rosic add some depth and tone to the vocals.

Screamer has clearly been spending time listening to the aforementioned bands because the songs are rich with hook-laden choruses and headbanging tunes. 'The Traveler' takes the album in a different direction with a melodic tale of feeling alone on the road. My only criticism to this point is the riffs begin to replicate each one another, but this should be consistent with the effort put in to make this a listen.

Photo Credit: Tom Johansson

The album continues to build through structured guitar passages and lyrics based on Fantasy to appeal to a new audience, as well as old. 'Hellfire', 'Chasing The Rainbow' and 'Ashes and Fire' are not to be overlooked. These tracks prove the cornerstone of 'KingMaker' with their dynamic edge and muscular sound that would make some believe Ronnie James Dio possessed the band.

Nevertheless, 'Kingmaker' finishes with the singalong ventures of 'Fall of a Common Man' and 'Sounds of the Night', which may have been preferential as middle tracks. This can lead to the album feeling like it has run out of steam towards the end.

Overall, Screamer has summoned the ghost of Dio, the progressive elements of Iron Maiden and the ferocity of Priest to create an album of pure metal for those fans that like it loud and punchy.

Words by Anselm Anderson. Rating 8/10


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Line-Up:
Andreas Wikström - vocals
Jon Morheim - guitars
Dejan Rosić - guitars
Fredrik Svensson Carlström - bass
Henrik Petersson - drums

'KingMaker'



'The Traveler'







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