Rooftop Screamers have made a thunderous entrance with their recent single, “Forsaken,” featuring the dynamic Stephen McSwain. From the first moment, the track grips your senses with an electrifying guitar riff, setting the perfect stage for McSwain’s commanding vocal delivery. When the vocals finally hit, it’s like the music breathes life into the lyrics, each word weighted with emotional intensity.
McSwain’s performance is stunning. His voice navigates the song’s darker landscape with grit and vulnerability, especially when he delivers lines like, “Our lives are forsaken; it’s theirs for the taking. It feels like we’ve been here before.” The repetition in the chorus amplifies the song’s haunting message, creating a sense of inescapable tension and resignation. Every phrase feels purposeful, every pause deliberate, making it impossible not to be drawn into the song’s world.
The production of Forsaken is crisp and layered, striking a perfect balance between raw rock energy and polished clarity. The instrumentation—tight, precise drumming, soaring guitars, and a subtly pulsing bass—supports McSwain’s vocals without overpowering them, allowing the emotional core of the song to shine. Moments like “In the dust, in the dust our footprints fade. They’re marching in and soon to stake their claim” resonate even more because of the space the production affords the lyrics to breathe.
Rooftop Screamers themselves are an electrifying presence in the Pacific Northwest music scene, and their collaboration with Stephen McSwain showcases their ability to blend heartfelt storytelling with rock intensity. For over two decades, Mike Collins, the powerhouse drummer and percussionist behind many of the group’s signature rhythms, has shared stages with legends such as Little Richard, Joan Jett, and Sheryl Crow, infusing each beat with experience and passion. His background—from studying under drumming icons like Michael Shrieve and Zoro to performing on national television—shines through in the song’s tight, kinetic energy.
“Forsaken” is a track that speaks to the moments when life feels relentless and overwhelming, yet it delivers that message through a lens of artistic precision and emotional honesty. Lines like “These words are unspoken when everything’s broken. There’s nothing to say anymore” captures a universal feeling of loss and endurance, making the song deeply personal and widely relatable.
On behalf of Songweb, it is an absolute pleasure to introduce Rooftop Screamers to our audience. With their electrifying sound, masterful musicianship, and poignant storytelling, they are a band that demands to be heard. “Forsaken” is just the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable journey, and if this track is any indication, Rooftop Screamers are here to leave an indelible mark on the rock landscape.
Listen to “Forsaken” on Spotify
Follow Rooftop Screamers here for more information
