SCREAMACHINE – Church of the Scream

I have a thing for this Italian heavy metal outfit and found their previous self-titled offering pretty darn entertaining and packed to the rafters with big, meaty riffs the size of a skyscraper. These dudes are anything but subtle, and the influence from Judas Priest is to be found in every nook and cranny of the material, but oh boy is this stuff instantly catchy and a lot of fun to play loud. With aggressive and pummeling riffs, a muscular rhythm section, and memorable vocal melodies, this thunderous slab of classic old-school metal totally lacks originality but is so expertly crafted and well-produced that I find it impossible not to have a good time and nod in approval when reveling in its endearingly charming songs and nostalgic aura. If you want innovation, you should look elsewhere, but if you are mad about Jag Panzer, Manowar, and the aforementioned metal gods i.e. Judas Priest, try giving Church of the Scream a few listens and see what you think. ‘Revenge Walker’ is a personal favorite of mine and a blistering delight.