A Wilhelm Scream - Self Titled EP

After releasing three full length albums on Nitro Records, A Wilhelm Scream changed record label and joined Paper And Plastick Records (which is fast becoming one of the most interesting punk rock labels out there). The band’s latest effort is a five song EP that shows how these five New Bedford, MA men are developing their own sound.

From the easy listening, catchy and melodic hardcore pop punk tunes of their first albums (when they still were named Smackin’ Isaiah) to a more intricate work of guitar riffs, complicated rhythms and not always so catchy melodies, that need to be eaten and digested even by the most observant listener. Me, in this case.

The EP starts with one amazing tune entitled “Australias“, where you can hear Trevor Reilly’s intricate guitar works fused with Nuno Pereira’s amazing vocals. The song is a little bit long and complicated in the end, so you almost lose the sense of urgency and crazyness that was given at the very beginning during the song’s intro. “Every Great Story Has a Shower Scene” is quite possibly the best track on the record: it’s fast, packed and it does not leave space to let the listeners breathe. Like what the band used to play on such albums as “Ruiner” or “Career Suicide“. The third song “Fun Time” is maybe the slowest song A Wilhelm Scream ever wrote: it deals with singing the song when singing/drinking with your own friends, and it’s a kind of cheer you up tune, even tough the theme is more about not being able to relax or to calm down. “Bulletproof Tiger” brings me back to the older time when “Mute Print” came out: it’s fast, with more metal riffs than ever and it’s a totally inspired song, about a family member fighting his demons and drug addiction. The lyrics and Nuno Pereira’s vocals are intense, but the 3:49 minutes are really long and sometimes you get the feeling on losing the meaning of it. “Skid Rock“, the best track by A Wilhelm Scream I heard since “We Built This City! (On Debts And Booze)” is the last on and it starts with the great bass riff of Brian Robinson: it’s not a case it’s used to open their shows a lot this year. The metal riff that comes in right after reminds me of an Iron Maiden generic song, but when the choruses start you cannot not want to move. It’s a great opener for live show and an even better closer for this EP.