After a short stint in the early Eighties, the horror-punk band Mourning Noise called it quits, only to reform in 2021. Heavily influenced by The Misfits, this New Jersey-based gang played fast and melodic tunes -- most of which were released as seven-inch EPs. In fact, Screams/Dreams might just be the band’s first proper LP. Weighing in at a dozen songs, plus four remixed bonus tracks, the record features Steve Zing from Samhain/Danzig on drums, plus dudes with names like Robby Bloodshed (vocals), Chris “Draphobia” Morance (bass) and Tommy Koprowski (guitar).
There’s a lot to like here, especially for fans of early Mourning Noise, The Misfits, Samhain or The Undead. Screams/Dreams is packed with raw, horror-themed song titles (“We Want You Dead,” “Embalmed with Love”) and a gritty DIY ethic. There’s even a typo in the back-cover track listing!
Squint and you can hear the band’s early influence on the likes of The Offspring and even Green Day, especially with its penchant for raucous riffing and gang vocals. While the album likely won’t top any charts or year-end best-of lists, it’s notable a band that formed 40-some years ago and then took entire decades off is still making music worth hearing.
Track Listing
1. Black Cadillac
2. Screams/Dreams
3. We Want You Dead
4. Kiss of Death
5. Frozen Fever
6. Sin
7. Island of Unknown
8. Empty Streets
9. The Changeling
10. Stranger Hearts
11. Embalmed with Love
12. Angel Lounge
13. Misery Loves Me (Remixed Bonus Track)
14. At the Seville (Remixed Bonus Track)
15. Book of the Dead (Remixed Bonus Track)
16. Green (Remixed Bonus Track)
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