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CHROMESKULL
Screaming For The World

Sangue Frio Produções (2023)
Rating: 6.5/10

In 2019 Brazilian speedsters Chromeskull released their debut EP, Deads Shall Rise, which boasted some of the worst cover art I’ve ever seen! Musically, the band were a rather slapdash metal act and they remain so but with dollops of charm hidden beneath such scales of cheese and mundanity.

Since 2020 Aquiles Jeronimo has been on the vocals, and his style – just like the great / tacky cover art – is a nostalgic croon wonderfully suited to belting out tracks like ‘Fast N’ Wild’, ‘Another Day To Fight’ and the title cut. Pluck this out of the mid-80s and you probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid at its loose nuts n’ bolts mediocrity, but in today’s climate there are metal fans that will salivate over such a nondescript entity.

For me it is the lead work which shines most within such dim air, and a song like ‘Love Is For Fools’ is dragged from being a bog standard track by the crisp guitar work. Elsewhere, ‘Drive Me Insane’ has a nice gallop to its design, as does ‘Dog Soldiers’ with its steady clank.

Sure, Screaming For The World is rewarding at times and nostalgic in equal measure, but there has been a million bands like this over the years – many better and a few worse – and Chromeskull remains somewhat middle of the road in its leathery rambling. Cult status may be achieved but not much more I’m afraid.

Neil Arnold

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