SCREW - Wailing Wall

Released on August 13, just after the stylish wave '08 MAX tour they participated in, Wailing Wall presents us with a sound that is typically SCREW, but mixed with material that is not at all what we'd expect. This single emphasizes melody rather than loudness or violence, and reached third place on the Oricon indies chart for good reason.

Wailing Wall is the perfect title track for the new SCREW release. It's very much what one might expect from the band at this point: a fast paced rock number with a catchy chorus, Byo's angsty but gorgeous vocals, and excellent wailing guitars throughout. To keep things unpredictable, there's even something that sounds like a sitar during the bridge. A little surprising also is the song's conspicuous lack of death vocals, growls or screams, but Jin's furious drumming and the overall turbulent atmosphere give it a paradigmatic SCREW feel.

Doukoku no ato is a delightful mix of beauty and aggression. The classical flavor produced by violins and piano lend the song a ballad-like air, though the sprinting pace creates a heavy rock atmosphere. The bridge includes a brief aria of Byo's trademark cat-from-hell screams, but otherwise the vocals are darkly smooth, mellifluous and laced with anguish.

The most exceptional and unexpected song by far on the release is the third track, Akikaze, a light, guitar-centric ballad with a brisk pace. The melodies - guitar, bass and vocals alike - seem unfathomably optimistic coming from this band. In much the same way the choruses of S=r&b and Dearest Wish feel out of place in the SCREW repertoire, Akikaze is a welcome shock that reminds us that despite their rep for aggressive music, SCREW can still show traces of something sunny. This isn't to say that it's cheery and bright, but a nostalgic and bittersweet thread runs throughout the piece, reinforced by the sentimental and romantic lyrics about missing a loved one.

Overall, SCREW manages to surprise and impress with this release of three impacting numbers, one of which is truly outstanding. One would be advised to purchase the limited version which comes with the PV for Wailing Wall as opposed to the regular edition, whose third track is Zealot, a filler with a lackluster chorus that's especially disappointing when compared to Akikaze. SCREW seems to be headed in a great direction if this single is anything to go by, and fans won't have to wait long before their next release in November.