Save Me by Screaming Eagles: A Hard Rock Joyride That Doesn’t Pull Any Punches
Let’s cut to the chase—Save Me by Screaming Eagles isn’t your run-of-the-mill rock album. Released in 2015, this UK-bred beast of a record slams together hard rock grit and classic rock swagger like it’s nobody’s business. Self-released under their own label (because apparently, they don’t need no middleman), the band packs some serious punch with Adrian McAleenan shredding on guitar, Ryan Lilly holding down bass duties, Kyle Cruikshank smashing drums, and Chris Fry belting out vocals that could wake up a hibernating bear. And let’s not forget Ross Cullen, who wore more hats than a milliner here—he produced, engineered, and mixed the whole shebang.
Now, onto the tracks. The album kicks off with “Good Times,” which is exactly what you’d expect if you’ve ever been stuck in traffic but were secretly vibing to loud guitars instead of honking horns. It’s got that raw energy that makes you wanna grab life by the horns—or at least crank up the volume while pretending you’re cruising down an open road. Fry’s voice has this raspy charm that just works, especially when paired with McAleenan’s riffs. You can tell these guys weren’t trying too hard to reinvent the wheel; they just wanted to make something fun, loud, and unapologetically themselves.
But where things really get wild is with “Immigrant Song (Live).” Yeah, yeah, we all know Led Zeppelin already nailed this one back in the day, but Screaming Eagles take it for a spin and somehow make it feel fresh again. There’s a looseness to this live version that feels less like worship and more like a raucous jam session between mates. Chris Fry gives Robert Plant a run for his money with his banshee wail, and the crowd goes nuts—it’s infectious enough to make you wish you were there, beer in hand, screaming along with everyone else.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going with live versions of songs like “Blood” and “Hungry For More.” Honestly, it’s refreshing how unpolished everything feels. These aren’t studio-perfected robots—they’re real dudes playing real music, flaws and all. And sometimes, that’s exactly what rock ‘n’ roll needs.
So, would I recommend Save Me? Absolutely. Is it gonna change your life? Probably not. But will it give you a solid excuse to turn your speakers up to eleven and annoy your neighbors? Heck yes. In a world full of overproduced nonsense, Screaming Eagles remind us that rock doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to kick ass.
And hey, if nothing else, listening to this album might inspire you to grow out your hair, buy a leather jacket, or maybe even attempt air guitar in front of a mirror. Just don’t blame me when your cat runs away from home.
