Screamer – Kingmaker
Screamer – Kingmaker
Steamhammer / SPV
Release Date: 13/01/2023
Running Time: 39:18
Review by Victor Augusto
8/10
As I’m getting old with my almost 40 years of existence, I push myself hard to not repeat the same things that I used to complain about people of this age, when I was younger. One of the constant complaints I hear is about old famous mainstream bands and their retirement coming close as they reached decades on road. It looks like people love to bother these bands. If Iron Maiden (for example) releases a new album, people won’t like the new songs, but if they don’t record a new stuff, people claim that these bands are only living by the old hits.
Instead of always acting the negative person about music, why people don’t try to find new bands to enjoy? And here is something that I can recommend for you in this case, from a classic traditional Heavy Metal album “Kingmaker”, which is the fourth full album from the Swedish band Screamer. By the way, I felt that I had discovered them in a good moment of their career, because they sound very professional after more than 10 years on the road together with the three releases during this period.
My first general impression is how good the guitar arrangements sound. Jon Morheim and Dejan Rosić have a great synergy to share good riffs, melodies and solos. They bring a mix of Judas Priest and Accept for the band. The bass of Fredrik Svensson Carlström is pretty strong to complement the quality of the music, and also very present. Another highlighted aspect is how clear and organic the instruments sound. Nothing plastic or digitalized; neither too raw.
I’ve mentioned two great Heavy Metal bands as reference that are very heavy bands when we think in this specific style, Screamer has chosen a simple drums and vocals lines approach and for me, it is a good fit, offering a good and relaxing sensation for the listener. Even faster tracks like ‘Chasing the Rainbow’ keep this spirit of a blend of Heavy Music with a source of peace to recharge your mind whilst you are listening to it. This song even carries a good keyboard addition in a very Jon Lord (Deep Purple) style, also few double bass from Henrik Petersson. Probably it is my favourite song from the album.
The melodies become more present in ‘Ashes and Fire’ and the cadenced guitars open space to an incredible vocal interpretation from Andreas Wikström. Personally, I think here is when Andreas put all his capability that shows how great he does his job.
Well, I could spend lots of word to describe the entire album, but I truly recommend that you do it by yourself. If you love a great Heavy Metal band from the eighties, which have a music full of power, also full of professional arrangements on their compositions, I have no doubts that you will love them.
Nevertheless, it worth a mention that the best quality of “Kingmaker” (for me) is exactly the amazing equation among all elements of a band from this genre. Nothing here is over-exacerbated or massive. It’s quite the opposite and you will have a good entertainment with this album, so stop to be a grumpy old man and go to listen to them.
‘Kingmaker’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
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
LINE-UP:
Andreas Wikström – Vocals
Jon Morheim – Guitars
Dejan Rosić – Guitars
Fredrik Svensson Carlström – Bass
Henrik Petersson – Drums
LINKS:
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