SCREAMER – Phoenix

Tags

Adrenaline Distractions, Andy Jackson, Anton Fingal, Carl Johan Erlandsson, Christoffer Svensson, David Persson Hansen, Dejan Rosić, Demon Rider, Dennis Åhman, Far Away From Home, Fred Estby, Gutterview Recorders Studio, Henrik Petersson, High Roller Records, Lady Of The River, Mr. Noman, No Regrets, No Sleep 'TIl Hamilton, Phoenix, Racetrack Studio, Red Moon Rising, Screamer, Shimmer Productions, Slavegrinder, Tomas Salonen, Tube Mastering

Having a reputation to be one of the hardest touring (demo-) bands in Sweden, SCREAMER are not far from having the same things going on within the recording sector. The debut of the four musicians from Ljungby and Malmö called “Adrenaline Distractions” was delivered on the memorable date of November 11th, 2011 via german label High Roller Records. Hardly two years later the new records “Phoenix” is out for about a month now. With more than 100 shows played in both Sweden and the rest of Europe, including their first headliner tour in 2012, one might wonder if SCREAMER are able to maintain the quality standard set on their first album, or if all this touring like crazy could result in weaker songwriting – but the nine tracks on “Phoenix” couldn’t be any further from all this.

“Demon Rider” is the opener and is one hell of a demonic ride! Get’s to me right from the start and almost forces me to push the repeat button on my player – good thing this is impossible at a live show, otherwise I would turn a whole show into an endless repetition of that very track. “No Regrets” and “Slavegrinder” keep the uptempo constantly going, turning this first third of “Phoenix” into a neckbreaking scenario. With “Far Away From Home” comes a first respite, but still no reason to put aside them airguitars – specially the polyphonic chorus parts and duel guitar-soli convey a full and mature sound. Track number five “No Sleep ‘Til Hamilton” becomes even more intense once you know the story behind it, telling how vocalist/bassplayer Christoffer Svensson, guitarists Anton Fingal and Dejan Rosić and drummer Henrik Petersson were “stranded” on tour, having no place to stay for the night. This might be a momentum taking away the romanticism and glory many imagine about being on the road…

The title track “Phoenix” speeds things up again and concerning the lyrics makes a possible connection to the experience the band is dealing with in the previous one. After a short and truly powerful resurrection, the final part of the album takes a bit of a slower but no less forceful turn with the introduction of one “Mr. Noman”, whereas the “Red Moon Rising” offers a final glimpse of fast shredding. Concluding their second full-length album, SCREAMER tell the story of the “Lady Of The River” in a seven and a half-minute cascade. The epic quality for sure won’t decelerate the power of its predecessor, leaving enough room for headbanging one last time.

Drums recorded by Dennis Åhman at Shimmer Productions. Guitars, bass, vocals and percussions recorded by Carl Johan Erlandsson, David Persson Hansen and Tomas Salonen at Racetrack Studio. Mixed by Fred Estby at Gutterview Recorders. Mastered by Andy Jackson at Tube Mastering. Produced by SCREAMER. Released on february 8th 2013 via Highroller Records.

Tracklist:

1. Demon Rider

2. No Regrets

3. Slavegrinder

4. Far Away From Home

5. No Sleep ‘Til Hamilton

6. Phoenix

7. Mr. Noman

8. Red Moon Rising

9. Lady Of The River

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SCREAMER – No Sleep ‘Til Hammaburg

Tags

Adrenaline Distractions, All Over Again, Anton Fingal, Attic, Can You Hear Me, Christoffer Svensson, Dejan Rosić, Demon Rider, Eleminator, Far Away From Home, Hell Over Hammaburg, Henrik Petersson, I Know, Keep On Walking, Markthalle Hamburg, Mr. Noman, MTC Cologne, No Regrets, No Sleep 'TIl Hamilton, Phoenix, Rock Bottom, Screamer, Slavegrinder

– Hamburg –

The first weekend of march 2013 for sure has become anything but ordinary! Along with three others I find myself on the way to Hamburg to attend the very first edition of HELL OVER HAMMABURG Festival – a total of twelve international acts, covering a large amount of genres, set in the two halls of “Markthalle Hamburg”. Besides the fact that all bands in those two parts of the venue play simultaneously, you wont find any trace of organisational failure.

No regrets necessary: SCREAMER

Opening a festival during the unyielding winter does not seem to be a very grateful job. Playing at a new event might be cool but always risky. The result of both factors combined is quite a challenge. Swedish Metalheads SCREAMER turn out to be the perfect choice for this task. From the very first note, the four young musicians get hold of the entire and constantly increasing audience. The selection of songs turns the late afternoon into the days’ first and maybe even most fun-filled moshpit, covering ages from 15 to 50. Summing up the entire festival day, which lasted from doors at 4pm until sometime around 2am, when the after show party was finally shot down, SCREAMER are not only one of the best openers I have ever seen, but become my personal headliner. And of course the 30 or 45 minutes set with songs of their new album “Phoenix” and the previous one “Adrenaline Distractions” (I did not check the time as they played, neither did I count the songs) is over way too fast. But it wouldn’t be for long for me to see them again.

– Cologne –

Just two days later, while I am still coping with the wasted feeling of the previous night/day/whatever, SCREAMER and their german tour support ATTIC, who also played at HELL OVER HAMMABURG arrive in Cologne. And since I’m having a hard time saying no, when it comes to live shows, I find myself on the road yet again. Playing on a monday night ends up to be not such a good idea, but touring has it, that any day off stage is not only a waste of money, but might even turn into additional costs.

Out Of The Fire – Even on a monday night!

On my arrival local support ELEMINATOR has just finished their set and after a short break of decorating the stage and themselves, ATTIC play rather long set. Still with a slight delay some of those present tonight are forced to leave before SCREAMER even start…what a pity! Much to my surprise ATTIC do not entirely make me sick, which is the first time ever. Finally at about 11pm guitarists Anton Fingal and Dejan Rosić, vocalist/bassplayer Christoffer Svensson and drummer Henrik Petersson take over club MTC by storm. Those who managed to stay will witness true and honest Rock’n’Roll at its best.

Successfully distracting adrenaline!

Even with a sore throat and wrecked back it always feels great to be at a club show, being able to actually face the band and feel the atmosphere within the audience, plus of course a noticeably longer set. With their overwhelmingly enthusiastic and joyful attitude, it is really hard to NOT like SCREAMER. The much decreased number of spectators still party like at least a hundred fanatics, some of them – including myself – headbanging through the whole show. In the end the final song on the setlist, which would have been “No Sleep ‘Til Hamilton” is left out. Presumably due to the fact that just about 20 people are still standing in front of the stage after a short encore.

Setlist:

Demon Rider

No Regrets

Slavegrinder

Can You Hear Me

Keep On Walking

Phoenix

Adrenaline

All Over Again

I Know

Mr. Noman

Far Away From Home

Rock Bottom

(No Sleep ‘Til Hamilton)

– to be continued –

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