A suitably named debut from a suitably named band. I feared I might be the wrong person to review this humungous slice of unbridled power combining the weight of Maiden, Metallica and Sabbath, but with the commercial sensibilities of Oasis and Nickelback. The result is incendiary. It leaps from your speakers, kicks you in the nuts, and as you double up, delivers a bludgeoning blow to your remaining senses. The vocals may be a bit ‘shouty’ so, by rights, they shouldn’t appeal to me, but somehow every lyric is clearly enunciated. Another remarkable feat. And clever, because it makes ‘buy in’ easy. And all this from a hard rock quartet from Lowestoft. It just ain’t right! With a power and passion rarely heard on a studio album, Eye Of The Storm is mosh pit nirvana, but connects on a much broader spectrum, with the band cleverly balancing their crushing metallic tendencies with some magnificent melodies, harmonies and hooks. ‘Run Away’, has an impassioned chorus line to match the brothers Gallagher at their biting, snarling, scratching peak, ‘Follow Me’ demonstrates a softer side (with a raucous air punching chorus), and ‘Better Off’ impossibly infectious. There’s no other word for it – Eye Of The Storm is an ‘explosive’ record, and then some. If Scream Serenity are half this good live, and can get so much as a toehold across the pond, then the sky is the limit. The best hard rock/crossover debut since Gun’s Taking On The World in 1989? Quite possibly. ****
