Power of Metal.dk Review

Scream Arena
Scream Arena
Rating
Style: Hard Rock
Release date: 7 April, 2014
Playing time: 50:55
 


The British metal rockers in Scream Arena releases their debut album, led by the singer Andy Paul. Classic 80's hard rock packed with similar sound like Def Leppard, Deep Purple, Queen and Y&T. The vocalist sings with a quite worn and coarse voice, but handles the lyrics perfectly. In the slower songs he can't hold the tone steady, he swaying in the voice in the higher octaves. That annoys me sometimes, because otherwise it's a really cool and fanciful hard rock Scream Arena delivers.

The US rock producer/musician Paul Sabu has taken the band under his wings and has guided them along the way. Sabu is among everything else responsible for bringing the idea of a cover of the Elvis Presley classic "Heartbreak Hotel" to the table. The more quickly rock tunes are the ones that I like best. For example, the 'House of Pain' with harder attitude and heavier guitar riffs and the vocals suit Andy better. The album kicks off with 'Born Ready', which is a straight forward rock song with some stiff Judas Priest riffing and it is one of the stronger tracks on the album. Their cover of 'Heartbreak Hotel' is very tasty and they manage to give the song a potion of their own style of this classic song.

The best and most positive about Scream Arena's album is the consistently high quality of guitar playing and it saves this disc from my warning lamp. The best song is maybe 'Forever' with heavy guitar hooks and Black Sabbath-like heavy drumming. The final song 'The Price of Love' is well worth mentioning. Many musical splashes of 80 century's hard-rocking giants, where they stiffened up the tone a bit.

My overall impression is so-so. A bit uneven in quality at times, but especially the impressive guitar playing and the heart, soul and the creativity in songs, saves this disc from my axe.

Lineup:
Andy Paul - Lead Vocals
Alex Mullings – Guitars
Phil O’Dea – Guitars
Lincoln J. Roth – Bass
Michael Maleckyj – Drums


Tracklist
01. Born Ready
02.
Knave of Hearts
03.
Racing to the End of Night
04.
Goodnight LA
05.
Somewhere
06.
Heartbreak Hotel
07.
House of Pain
08.
Queen of Dreams
09.
Forever
10.
Another Night in London Town
11.
The Price of Love
Label: Mighty Music
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Artwork rating: 70/100
Reviewed by: Patrik J Skoglund
Date: 3 April, 2014
Website: www.screamarena.com