With a basic, honest garage sound approach to the spotlight lit arena stage York England’s Scream Arena showcase a sound heralded in the 80’s bringing both the nostalgic decadence and a few new ingredients to the tried and true sunset formula. Formed by Andy Paul, taking musical and vocals hints and nods from LA Guns, Wasp, Tuff, Asphalt Ballet, Kingdom Come, Shotgun Messiah and Michael Monroe among others they’re a direct result and rebellion against the cookie cutter fashion conscious rock scene in Britain. They’ve brought back decadent memories of the aquanet drenched/spandex tight scene that’s never truly gone away and taken the best/coolest parts of Decline of Western Civilization II and kept the sound but upgrading it to current year. If Sammi Curr had been in a real band, we’d have Scream Arena. The heavy metal/horror movie appeal of what made those tie in videos with the bands on set with the characters or footage mixed in performance look and feel so cool, Scream Arena has resurrected.
Gentlemen, start your engines, these guys were Born Ready. The Price of Love’s a heavy toll with the names changed to protect the badly behaved. Racing to the end of Night starts with the street cruising feel, under the bright neon lights. There’s a certain amount of tension themed undercurrent and uncertainty loaded in the guitars and keyboards.
They’ll show no mercy in the House Of Pain, a funhouse thrill-ride courtesy of Uncle Alice and a few pet spiders. The clock is ticking down to your worst nightmare. Heartbreak Hotel, a homage to The King gives a different spin as the devils an owner of a lonely heart and needing some TLC. Guitar’s spitting out the available at midnight sleaze. Forever chases those starlet dreams of what will become and what was, while leaving more practical/realistic ones in the shadows and the pawn shop. Another Night In London Town is pedigreed for MTV’s Headbangers Ball’s heyday. The ballad is saved till almost last on Queen Of Dreams with an almost Queensychre Mindcrime feel as Father Alice makes a return stepping from behind the mask from the world of hopeful fantasy, exposing faded reality. Bonus track Heart Of The Rock is an arena/stadium lightning thunder making fist bumping good time.
The record successfully rides the line of honest tribute to a beloved area without tipping into parody. With lyrics that weave narrative tales instead of just hang out and party. Proving that there are still and always will be ears eager to hear the music inspired by ‘the strip’. www.screamarena.wordpress.com www.headfirstentertainment.com
