Paul Lidel’s Scream Therapy – ‘Paul Lidel’s Scream Therapy’

(Perris Records)

Paul Lidel definitely keeps the Hair Metal flame burning! A musician who has his roots in the Eighties scene with the band he is most associated with Dirty Looks, but he has also spent time fronting cult rockers Dangerous Toys and has been constantly working with bands like Adrenaline Factor, Broken Teeth and 99 Crimes over the years. With Scream Therapy Lidel delivers an album of old school Hair Metal unashamedly born out of that era!

Scream Therapy sounds like these guys have stepped fresh out of a time machine from 1991! While I doubt it, I did wonder frequently if the bones of these songs originate from that time as these songs feel like they’re from an unearthed album, it genuinely sounds like it was written when Hair Metal ruled. These songs are not written to emulate that era they feel like they are from that time.

It's loud and rambunctious and delivered like Hair Metal never went of fashion. Scream Therapy is straight up anthemic style Rock full of energy and rebellion, packed full with dance inducing guitar grooves and rousing fist pumping choruses.

Lidel has a voice and style that harkens back to the early Nineties pre-grunge style of Hard Rock. His voice is as strong as ever and it emphasises the rebel yell tone associated with this style of music. His delivery is full out attitude but it’s never snarly it always remains melodic as his delivery encourages you to chant along!

Guitarist Lee Young lays down some really slick old-style solos immersed amongst the groove heavy guitar riffs. The guitar work is really classy, his swaggering guitar licks really get under your skin with hooks flying at you thick and fast. This guy has the soul of an old-fashioned Eighties axe-man soloist full of flair and exuberance.

I did find a couple of less effective tracks towards the end but in general it’s a very strong and potent metal album which is sure to entertain and get heads a banging.

Scream Therapy is a fun entertaining album which really put a smile on my face. It’s never trying to be too deep and meaningful it focuses more on rousing and energising listeners. Anyone looking for something with an old school vibe but not derivative of the Hair Metal genre should definitely check this one out you’ll be very happy with what you hear!

8/10

Essential Track - 'Run'

Review by Woody