ALBUM REVIEW: Kingmaker – Screamer
Swedish five-piece SCREAMER formed back in 2009 and quickly proceeded to release four albums within eight years, as well as a live album. Whilst this might be the standard fare of a band’s release schedule, what really makes SCREAMER shine is not just their eye-grabbing name; it’s their ability to translate that infectious live energy to a studio album. Their fifth full-length, Kingmaker, does the exact same.
Right off the bat, the title track has a funky 80s-inspired metal guitar riff which showcases guitarists Jon Morheim and Dejan Rosić‘s talent. However, Andreas Wikström‘s vocals are the real star of the show. Whilst it is a slight cliché to say this, as the lead vocalist is often the most prominent member of the band, it is the truth here. Whether it is the fast-paced, 70s-inspired Rise Against or the thrash metal of Hellfire, Wikström‘s rich singing is extremely pleasant to listen to. In fact, the entire album feels like you have been transported back to the 1970s or 1980s; the production makes sure that all the songs have a distinct sound to more modern metal.
However, it is not all perfect. Whilst some of the songs such as Chasing The Rainbow are easily identifiable and play around with their structures, others fall a little flat and feel a bit one-note. For example, Burn It Down treads the similar thrash metal path as many others have done. Furthermore, the lyrics are the kind that we have heard a million times before, with the chorus consisting of the line: “Burn it down / Burn it down to the ground”.
The album continues to tread the same road again on the last few songs. This makes it sound very similar and one-note. Yet, despite this, there is something quite charming about the album. It is always nice to hear old metal taken out for a new spin. Whilst this album might not break new ground, it is clear that there is a passion behind it. SCREAMER are clearly having a fun time, and are all happy to be on the album. Unfortunately, bassist Fredrik Svensson Carlström doesn’t really get a look in, as the guitarists swallow him up. This could be down to the production, which appears to become slightly looser as the album goes on. Drummer Henrik Petersson can just about be heard on the penultimate song Sounds Of The Night – a very guitar-heavy track.
Closing song Renegade is another guitar-driven song. Whilst it is fantastic that the guitarists get their effort appreciated, it would be nice to hear more of the rest of the band. This is nothing against the band; it is – in fact – an issue with the producer, who must’ve obviously been a guitar fan. Furthermore, by focusing only on the guitars, the pacing of the album is affected, as all the songs are extremely fast-paced, making it hard to tell which song is which. This does unfortunately do SCREAMER a disservice.
Kingmaker is a peculiar album. Whilst SCREAMER are extremely talented and have shown off a fantastic piece of work, they are let down by a guitar-heavy production. Furthermore, some of the lyrics are a little on-the-nose. On the other hand, the vocals are fantastic, and the guitarists are really giving it their all. It is just unfortunate that the production and the lyrics are a bit of a let down, alongside the pacing. Kingmaker could have been a brilliant album in another producer’s hands. Here, it is just an ok album.
Rating: 6/10
Kingmaker is set for release on January 13th via Steamhammer/SPV.
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