The Dahmers release ‘Creature Feature’ LP

Born out of chaos, cheap beer and a shared obsession with horror movies, The Dahmers are one of Sweden’s most thrilling and unpredictable rock exports. Hailing from the small, unassuming town of Bromölla, this four-piece has spent over a decade perfecting their distinct blend of punk, garage rock and pop appeal, an intoxicating sonic cocktail that’s equally infectious as it is unhinged.

Their music claws its way through themes of fear, alienation and the macabre, balancing pure energy with engaging songwriting and musicianship flair. It all began in late 2011, after a raucous Halloween party where four musicians, bonded by boredom and a love of all things gruesome, decided to form a band. Taking their name from the notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, they embraced the darkness from the very beginning and their fascination with the horror genre became their trademark, an aesthetic that bleeds into every aspect of their creative output.

Strongly influenced by the DIY spirit of punk rock, The Dahmers’ early releases were self-made lab experiments and it didn’t take long for them to earn a reputation as one of Sweden’s most ferocious live acts. Their debut album Demons, released in 2014, captured that same intensity, earning rave reviews from fans and critics alike and confirming their status in the Scandi rock underground. Over the years, The Dahmers have spread their electrifying gospel of darkness far beyond Sweden with a North American tour and live shows with some of rock’s biggest and most respected names, including The Hellacopters, The Hives, Against Me!, Millencolin, Viagra Boys and D-A-D, earning a reputation as a must-see live act wherever they go.

Now, The Dahmers return with Creature Feature, their third full-length album and their first on their own label, Eerie Sounds. Recorded and co-produced by Johan Gustafsson of The Hives at Studio Ingrid in Stockholm, Creature Feature features guest musicians bringing new textures to the band’s formula with brass, cello, flute and piano adding to the raucous sound, while subtle synths heighten the cinematic quality of the songs.

Kicked off by title track “Creature Feature,” the album starts with the transportive, scene setting sounds of rain drops on a window as the sounds of someone cracking a bottle and turning on the TV, flicking through channels as the storm builds outside. The taps of drums and twang of lively guitar on “Nightmare of ’78” then builds up the energy, surging towards an exhilarating slice of pop-focused punk rock music that rolls with expressive vocal leads and energising instrumentation.

“Creeps From Outer Space” jumps into a dark and driving scene of haunting lead guitar, crunching riffs and splashing drums capped by theatrical vocals. Sweeping synths add rushes of colour to the arrangement as the chorus bursts into a catchy sound of soaring hooks and gripping sonic energy. “River City Skyline” leans into a bouncy blues rock jam that flows with grooving rhythms and bright brass pips as gritty guitar rhythms and dynamic vocal work crafts an enthralling listening experience packed full of twists and turns.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “Teenage Caveman” with its slick lead guitar flourishes, invigorating groove and commanding vocal performance, offering the perfect display of the band’s riveting rock sound that frames their retro influences in a modern way. With “The Raven,” charging tumbles of notes swell into an uptempo burst of epic rock music brimming with memorable vocal hooks, playful instrumental chimes and sensational lead guitar work.

Closing the album with “Wake Up The Dead,” airy guitar notes rise like wisps of smoke as emotive vocals drift above the hazy atmosphere as the song glides with intricate orchestral textures and stunning melodies, casting an anthemic finale to the band’s superb new record. Commenting on the LP, vocalist and guitarist Christoffer Karlsson shares, “Our vision has been to explore and develop the bands sound but also to maintain the bands profound and colourful essence. We want people to feel good when they hear the album, take them with us to another planet and make ’em forget about all the trouble in the world for a while”

Listen to Creature Feature below