“25 Yard Screamer” are three musicians from South Wales who came together in 2002 and with their latest album “Cassandra” are onto their third album. The band features Matt Clarke (bass), Nick James (guitars vocals) and Donal Owen (drums).

Before I had even put the album in the CD player I couldn’t help noticing that there were only four tracks on the album. Two short numbers and two epics one coming in at nigh on twenty minutes and the other at almost half an hour. I love getting my teeth into tracks that take me to places rarely visited and that stimulate the mind. Saying that I also like to rock out with reckless abandon.

Opening track “Blacklight” is the shorter of the two epics and it has to be said that it pushed all my buttons. Full on heavy grooves came at me wall to wall whilst introspective and delicate sections enthralled me and got me on the edge of my seat. Changes in tempo and nice use of various layered instruments all added up to this being a nice surprise. The song pulled me in slowly but surely and I felt the dark chords and guitar solo pushing me ever onwards to the songs dramatic conclusion.

Next up is “Insomnia” a rhythmic and melodic small wonder. Hypnotic rhythms swirl around with tribal like qualities whilst the delay drenched guitar bubbled underneath at times reminding me of Andy Summers (The Police). As this song progressed I was struck with the thought that Robert Plant’s voice would suit this song perfectly.

“Boy In The Window” is a song that is propelled along by fabulous drumming. Muscular and deep into the groove rhythmic patterns make this song an instantly satisfying listen. The chorus is catchy and backed by meaty guitars and the only way to listen to this song is with your volume control cranked up to the max. Fans of Rush in their most commercial and direct mood will love this track.

The final track of the album is the second and longer of the two epics and at thirty minutes it makes up half of this album. After what had preceded this track I had high hopes that the band had saved something really impressive to take the listener to the end. Somehow this extended epic just didn’t do it for me and to try and justify to the band and general public I would say that it’s just too long. The first half of the song has sections that are just too drawn out and as a result the song drags a little bit. Some of the themes are just milked a little bit too much ending in the moods being left with no impact. As the song progresses things do pick up but it all felt like it was coming too late. If the song had been judiciously trimmed down to say just less than twenty minutes I feel the song would have been a killer.

Reviews are just personal opinions and as such what may feel wrong to me may be just what the next person adores so remember these comments are just individual observations. The only other thing which I felt sometimes stopped the songs from really taking off was the vocals. Nick James is a good singer but when the music is going great guns around him and picking up pace his vocal delivery sounds the same as when he is singing something mellower. With a bit of extra attention to using his voice the songs will come alive .I just found his vocals a bit too polite and restrained and as a result the music sometimes pushed into the background too much.

“Cassandra” is a fine release by musicians who on this display show much potential. There is power and passion in the music and if a little attention is focused on the vocal delivery and there is some honest and judicious trimming of the musical fat the band will hopefully have the next musical level in sight.

Let us know your views on Cassandra 

Track Listing

Blacklight
Insomnia
Boy In The Window
Cassandra

Line Up

Matt Clarke - Bass
Nick James - Guitars/Vocals
Donal Owen - Drums