ALBUM REVIEW: Hard to Stop – High Spirits
HIGH SPIRITS are back with their fourth full-length album, Hard to Stop. After touring the USA in 2010 and releasing their official studio debut, Another Night, in 2011, the success of the record took them across to Europe in 2012 and 2013. Growing in popularity after releasing further albums as well as playing metal festivals and gigs all across the USA and Europe, after their 10th-anniversary show in 2019 in Chicago, it was time to make the next album. Recorded entirely by Chris Black, HIGH SPIRITS are a nod to the hard rock of the 70s and classic heavy metal of the 80s, creating energising and feel-good tunes!
Since You’ve Been Gone kicks off the record with a suspenseful riff which then charges in at break-neck pace. The percussion is strong but delicate at the same time, blending the whole sound together perfectly. This is a straight-up, high-energy track that does what it says on the tin. Black’s vocals are unusual, they don’t fully match up with the instrumental sound, but he still skilfully blends harmonies throughout most of the track, including an epic chorus. Restless has a more laid back feel, nodding to early legends such as BAD COMPANY. The bass shines through in this track, running up and down perfectly complementing the melodious guitars and the smooth and skilful solo.
The production on this record from Dan Swanö at Unisound Studio is brilliant, each instrument is given its time to shine and treated with real respect. Hearts Will Burn is easily the heaviest track on Hard To Stop, and certainly the most powerful. Once more, the guitars are layered perfectly here, complementing and bringing out the best in the sound rather than getting lost on top of each other. The track is sectioned nicely, creating variation and depth in the sound. The chorus is powerful and epic with lyrical themes to match, but unfortunately, the strained vocals are just not strong enough to carry a sound as soaring as this.
Chugging, subdued guitar and vocals gently joined by more instruments and vocal harmonies guide us into Voice in the Wind, which then flow into a laid back sound. Softer and floating, Black is not afraid to branch out and explore other sounds, never subscribing to one specific genre. You could imagine this played on a soundtrack to an 80s film where the characters sneak out and spend the night cruising the streets.
All Night Long brings things back to that classic metal sound, almost leaning to bands like SCORPIONS due to the unique vocals. This track is well played but is just a little bit caught in the middle of trying to be heavy and casual at the same time, so ends up lacking any real power or substance. The heaviness comes back with Midnight Sun which is certainly a welcome thing, as Black clearly has a knack for writing these kinds of tracks. Riffs that recall early ACCEPT in their power are interspersed with a softer sound, allowing the vocals to come through. An acapella harmony section coming back into a heavy bassline and some dancing scales make this track one of the strongest.
Once again bending the genres, Now I Know this time incorporates a slightly punk feel through the repetitive rhythm guitar and cymbal heavy percussion. The attitude is there, from the chugging verses to the catchy chorus, but still with a slightly softer edge. We Are Everywhere finishes off the record with a little bit more speed, featuring IRON MAIDEN-esque runs between the bass and guitar. Littered with harmonies, HIGH SPIRITS have nailed writing retro, feel-good tracks. Hard rock and classic heavy metal revival done well, Black knows how to multi-layer instruments to perfection and write high-energy rock.
Unfortunately, what lets this band down is the vocals, which lack the strength to carry the songs and do them proper justice. Considering Black recorded everything, it’s highly impressive. His lead guitar work really stands out and it’s clear he’s a talented musician and songwriter, but with a vocalist who was able to bring real power and substance, HIGH SPIRITS would be taken from pretty good to excellent, and sell themselves short by not doing so. It feels like saying ‘can someone just turn this up a bit please?’, although the mix is smooth and perfectly balanced, it just feels like everything needs a bit more power to bring it up to its full potential.
Rating: 7/10
Hard To Stop is out now via High Roller Records.
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