Kingston, Ontario’s Screamin’ Sins may be a new face on the horror scene, but they are coming out swinging with their brand new EP Living Nightmares. This collection of dark crooning tunes is ripe with the type of cartoonishly dark lyrical fare one would expect from a horror punk trio, but don’t chalk these gothabilly ghouls up as just another Misfits tribute. These folks bring a sound all their own to the world of horror rock.
The mini album kicks off with the Wes Craven-inspired creepfest “The Hills Have Eyes”. Has this particular earth been tread before? Sure, but with such fertile ground, there’s no reason not to keep digging into this 80’s classic. The reverb-drenched guitars and tribal drums kick things off, followed by a raucous stomping verse. Reverend Paul Sin’s clean melodic vocal stands out from the pack, periodically filled out by a ghostly unison chorus provided by bassist Vanessa Von Voodoo. What better way to invite listeners into the party than with a little radioactive mutant boogie?
“Living Dead” keeps the spooky vibes going with another helping of reverb-soaked guitar work and thrashing four-on-the-floor beats, courtesy of drummer Landon Dane Martin. The off-kilter guitar work and catchy chorus keep things interesting as we delve into the familiar lament of a man feeling more dead than alive. I don’t think anyone can deny, we all sometimes feel a bit like the walking dead.
Here the EP takes a turn into more rockabilly flavored fare. “Love You to Death” takes us into an unhealthy love affair, followed by an apocalyptic peak into a nightmare landscape with the appropriately titled “Nightmare”. The band clearly feels comfortable in this gothabilly mold, and it fits them like a well made coffin.
“Haunted Dreams” brings out the requisite outlaw country ballad we’ve come to expect from the genre. The train track rhythm and lonesome acoustic guitar, offset by the wailing vocal and trembling lead guitar make for a fun diversion, and showcase another side to the group that adds some depth and variety to this batch of spine-tingling tunes.
The final nail in this sonic coffin is a swampy blues banger entitled “Curse On You”. It’s here the album veers heavily into Concrete Blonde territory. This swampy, sleazy stomp sets a perfect tone for the voodoo tale portrayed in the lyrics. We’ve entered a creepy moonlit bayou, and these Canadian creepers seem right at home in these brackish waters.
Overall, Living Nightmares is a solid entry in what is sure to be a stellar discography from this terrifying trio. If you are a fiend for genre originators The Cramps, this might be right up your darkened alley! Check it out, if you dare!