One of the many unsung bands of the late 80's, Screamer hailed from Kenosha, WI in 1985. But after releasing only one album through New Renaissance Records in 1988, they just as quickly faded into oblivion. The album, entitled 'Target: Earth', was a showcase in progressive power metal, and saw a re-release through the same label in 2006.

TARGET: EARTH (1988, 2006) NEW RENAISSANCE (# 24/1093)

I don't know if this is a thing that comes with age, but one of the coolest things about being a metalhead in 2006 is discovering "lost" gems of old. It's mind-blowing how many great bands that never got the recognition they deserved back when they were active. But thanks to labels, such as New Renaissance Records, we now get to see many of these bands music being re-released. Screamer are but one of these bands. They released their one and only album back in 1988. "Target: Earth" is a progressive power metal album that sounds a lot like old Queensrÿche. Vocalist Bill Carter is even vocally a dead ringer for Geoff Tate's helium infested voice from the early 80's. But Screamer could just as easily have been compared to 'Awaken The Guardian'-era Fates Warning, with just a dash of 'Piece Of Mind'-esq Iron Maiden for good measure (just listen to the opening of "Future World"). The result is nothing short of any other band in the genre, maybe save for the production. The overall sound is a bit thin, and I had hoped that New Renaissance Records had at least beefed up the levels a bit on this reissue. Still the music is outstanding, and all you have to do to remedy the shortcomings is to crank it up to 11!!