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Not to be confused
with ‘Screamer’, as some have in the past.
A lot has changed in
a very short space of time for this band. They have in the last 2 months had to
acquire a new drummer and rhythm guitarist. Very quick succession, one after the
other and with a lot of gigs on the Skreamer horizon, there probably wasn’t a
more difficult time this could have happened.
The determination of
Sam Morter and Serg Ronchetti to keep going and find replacement musicians is
outstanding. To say nothing of the fact that the new guitarist came all the way
from Wales to audition – that’s a hell of a commitment. Also, there were
something close to 100 requests for auditions.
I haven’t been to the
Garage for almost 2 years and it is stupidly hot inside. Today is about the
homeless. The night has been organised as a charity event for helping homeless
people in need. ‘Metal For The Homeless’ – exemplified once again is the sense
of belonging that is unique among metal fans (and that doesn’t include these
elitist pricks - you’re not fans, you’re assholes) everyone is here to have a
good time in support of a good cause. Someone even bought a shirt signed by all
the bands for £50 only to give it to Skreamer as a momento. That’s awesome. As
is some guy with a mosh pit cam strapped to his chest.
In the 8 months since
I last saw them (which was also the first time) this band have trebled their
audience and secured endorsement from Ibanez. With further appearances at Alt
Fest and a headline slot at Beermaggedon alongside Onslaught it seems like the
long hours rehearsing are paying their dividends.
New additions Huey
and ‘Grizz’? (I can’t remember if I got that last one right, sorry) on drums and
guitar respectively, fit in as though they’d been there from the start. I
wouldn’t have known otherwise.
‘Photograph’ has
recently been featured on a cd in Metal Hammer a couple of months back. Watching
it live and seeing everyone clapping in rhythm was that much more rewarding this
time – cos as fun as the Intrepid fox gig was – here they have the room on the
stage to move around and crucially they can fit in the larger audience that they
now command.
‘Victim’, a
dedication to Sophie Lancaster as most Skreamer fans are aware, is the song that
has always struck a particular chord with me – in no small part tonight because
there was recently news that one of her attackers has had a jail sentence
reduced. This song is given to us a second time at the end of the set. This
is because, as you would expect, due to the sudden departure of half the group
they have not had time to do exactly what they wanted. It says something of the
bands admiration for their supporters and fans when the guys actually feel the
need to apologise to us for this.
‘Flesh And Blood’ is
a fan favourite and has everyone joining in the chorus – the significance of 888
escapes me and it something I forgot to ask people, but there is a lot of
Skreamer merch with this on.
Things are getting
bigger and better for this band even in the face of some hard hitting blows that
can and have knocked many others down and out for good. Bouncing off the ropes
and hitting back harder than before has reinforced the foundations of this
fantastic metal band. Take a leaf, aspiring bands. Or better yet the whole
fucking tree! Perseverance pays.
No chance for
me to see them at Beermageddon, Alt Fest or indeed anywhere else until October.
But you should! Go to
www.facebook.com/skreamerofficial
Also do not forget
for many other awesome metal bands besides Skreamer:
www.beermageddon.co.uk
www.alt-fest.com
95/100
Attending:
Matt Fabi |
