SCARECROW is a Finnish horrorpunk band from Hyvinkää, that has been unleashing their brutal, ghoulish tunes upon this earth for over a decade. After three suspiciously quiet years, they are back from the (un)dead with new mini-album “Nachzehrer”, which was released one month ago (29.08.2019).
The album cover is clearly made to resemble a horror movie poster. If you are a horror buff like me, you are probably wondering what a “nachzehrer” is, exactly. Well, I looked it up for you, and it seems to be some kind of vampire in German folklore. One is most likely to turn into a nachzehrer after suicide, and these vampires come back from the dead to feast upon the blood of their family members. Phew, gruesome!
SCARECROW labels itself as horrorpunk with Metal and hardcore influences, but I was still a bit in the dark about what to expect, until the chaos of the first track – “Worldwide Warzone” – hit me with full force like an axe in the head. This is pure, hellish insanity, not for the faint of heart, and Jack13‘s guttural vocals put the horror in horrorpunk. “I Miss Her Screaming” is the fast-paced follow-up, a perfect lovesong… for a serial killer. The “punk” aspect really stands out in third track “Toxic Metal Punx”: fast, aggressive riffs and drums with brutal vocals. Some Metal influences do shine through in the catchy chorus, however. This Metal streak seems to continue on “Witchdance”, with the band showing off more of its melodic side. The mini-album closes with “Shroudeaters”, my personal favourite, featuring some awesome manic, mad drumming, and what I think is the best guitar performance on this record.
Well, truth be told, I can imagine myself screaming along to these songs with both hands in the air, spilling beer everywhere. A band like this, raising hell since 2000, will definitely know how to throw a party. Just listen to their music, because it speaks for itself, no bullshit whatsoever. And remember, if you ever run into a nachzehrer, kill it by placing a coin in its mouth, and then chopping off its head!
TRACKLIST
- WORLDWIDE WARZONE
- I MISS HER SCREAMING
- TOXIC METAL PUNX
- WITCHDANCE
- SHROUDEATERS
LINEUP
Jack13 – Vocals, bass (studio)
Ruho – Guitars
Lima – Drums
RECORD LABEL
Inverse Records
