Swedish hell machines Screamer have carried the torch of throwback heavy metal since dropping their Never Going Down demo a decade ago. Like that album’s title track promised, the band has embodied NWOBHM’s enduring majesty and kept that flame alive. Years may pass, but the satisfaction of well-placed harmonized leads and sweat-drenched solos remains as enticing now as when SOB became Saxon. Screamer’s new album Highway of Heroes—out October 11th on The Sign records— is a leather-clad tribute to heavy metal’s formative legacy.
The twin guitars of “Ride On” are so searing they feel like hot chrome on a summer night. That song’s sky-scraping howls from Andreas Wikström are chased immediately by gruff gang shouts before six-string sorcery takes the spotlight yet again. From there the album’s contagious choruses strike in dazzling succession as “Shadow Hunter” and “Sacrifice” swell with sing-along ear-worms. While most of the album maintains a darker melodic underbelly, “Out of the Dark” is a silver-tongued, feel-good triumph. Allusions to Thin Lizzy and Enforcer may crackle from the album’s intro to the bittersweet aura of closer “Caught in Lies,” but Screamer establish their own identity even more confidently on Highway of Heroes.
“With Highway Of Heroes we have taken everything we consider Screamer to be, up to a new level,” the band shares. “The catchiness of every chorus, the roaring twin guitars and pounding rhythm section has been carefully curated and co-produced with Gustav Hjortsjö (Bullet), which made this step smooth and natural for the entire band. We are beyond thrilled to be able to share this exclusive album premiere stream with you all through Decibel Magazine!”
Hop on your space steed or rev your engines, because Highway of Heroes beckons you below. Press play to enjoy the exclusive stream before the record’s release, and pre-order it from the links below. Press play and RIDE ON.
Pre-order Screamer’s Highway of Heroes on Bandcamp or follow the links for physical copies HERE
Don’t forget to follow Screamer on Facebook for new and updates HERE
