What we got here is a Greek band Scarelight, who love worshiping German power metal of the yore. The band's 'Scream out Loud' single is their debut for the world. This 5-piece hail from Thessalonik and was started by vocalist Jimmy Santrazami, who appeared on two first Emerald Sun albums. And this song is on that band's sophomore album 'Escape from Twilight'... A weird choice for a debut single?! Well, that album was removed from digital music providers, so that's why this was done.

'Scream out Loud' is a damn catchy song, that should immediately hit the right notes for every Helloween and Gamma Ray fan. The main riff and lead guitar work is extremely close to those two big names' work from their earlier times. Lots of double kick drumming drives this fast-ish song. The guitar solos are also very much in vein of Kai Hansen and Michael Weikath; nimble-fingered stuff. Ex-Emerald Sun guitarist Johnie Athanasiadis should be thanked for co-composing the song. The vocals are not a million miles from Michael Kiske, but still have a different tone to them, and are closer to Freedom Call's Christian Bayer. What was left out are the epic keyboard elements, making this version way more stripped and "streetwise".

The production, especially the drums, sounds a bit too plastic, artificial. However, it has a totally positive vibe throughout and should appeal to the fans of the bands mentioned on here. In all its pastiche and non-challenging glory. Helloween and Gamma Ray aren't doing it like this anymore, so it's everybody's own choice to give it a go or not. Well, Jimmy Santrazami has a new band going on, and they know how to blaze out some German style power metal.

Rating: 6 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
04/16/2024 21:13