Screamer Kingmaker

It is the joy of playing, the physically tangible intensity of their music and an irrepressible vitality that have always characterized Screamer. The Swedish band around singer Andreas Wikström benefits unmistakably from their enormous energy, combined with an imaginative and varied songwriting. This winning mix has already resulted in four studio albums and one live disc since 2011. Their latest work is called 'Kingmaker' and will be released on January 13, 2023 via Steamhammer/SPV. Like the previous discs, 'Kingmaker' also shines with a wealth of songs in the approach path to classic heavy metal, which has become an integral part of our lives since the early 1980s. At the same time, Screamer drummer Henrik Petersson announces his band's most mature and focused album to date. He says: "On 'Kingmaker' we have further refined our typical style and worked out the essence of our strengths."

Screamer was founded in 2009 in Ljungby, a small town between Malmo and Gothenburg. With their previous studio albums 'Adrenaline Distractions' (2011), 'Phoenix' (2013), 'Hell Machine' (2017) and 'Highway Of Heroes' (2019), the five-piece group made unmistakable statements of dynamic riffs, tasteful twin guitars, powerful Grooves and deep melodic chants delivered. Well over 300 concerts are now on the credit side of Screamer, including acclaimed shows at important festivals such as 'Headbangers Open Air', 'Rock Hard Open Air', 'Summer Breeze', 'Bang Your Head' or 'Muskelrock'. A representative document of their proven stage qualities was released in January 2021: 'Live Sacrifice' with recordings of concerts between autumn 2019 and spring 2020 across Europe. 'Kingmaker' follows all of this seamlessly.

Because new songs like 'Renegade', 'Chasing The Rainbow' or 'Hellfire' could hardly be more typical for Screamer. Petersson: "In addition, they show what we're about this time, both musically and in terms of content. Normally our lyrics are about life on tour, about having fun with heavy metal and the experiences that go with it." But this time, with 'The Traveler' there is also a rather untypical, melancholic track for Screamer. "In addition, on 'Kingmaker' you can find socially critical approaches, such as in 'Ashes And Fire', and fantasy influences, for example in 'Sounds Of The Night', which can be described as little adventure stories," adds singer Andreas Wikström.

Speaking of Wikstrom, he's not only Screamer's voice, but also their main lyricist, with a sure instinct for great choruses. Also among the longtime members are guitarist Dejan Rosic, characterized by his peers as a "riff machine and Bosnian Santana" and bassist Fredrik Svensson Carlström ("Fredrik is a real beast on stage!"). As the founder, drummer Henrik Petersson is both manager and the organizational backbone of the band. New to the Screamer camp is guitarist Jon Morheim, a true riff master who, with his great technical skills, catapults the band to an even higher level of playing.

These five have thrown all their talent, their experience and their still great ambitions into the balance and now with 'Kingmaker' they are launching the strongest album of their career so far. Before the disc sees the light of day on January 13, 2023, the first pre-single 'Kingmaker' will be released on September 16, 2022, followed by 'Hellfire' on October 28, 2022, and 'The Traveler' on December 9, 2022, including more elaborate ones Video clips for all three songs. Preparations for the festivities are in full swing so that the Screamer King can then be properly enthroned!