Album Review: High Spirits – Hard To Stop (High Roller Records)

High Spirits’ returns with a brand new album – its fourth – or fifth, if you count the 2009 self-titled demos LP that started it all.

The band began to tour around the USA in 2010, and then “Another Night” was the official studio debut in 2011. The album was a big smash, and so High Spirits made their first European tours in 2012 and 2013. The next album “You Are Here” was released in 2014, followed by tours all over the USA and Europe. The autobiographical album “Motivator” came in 2016, and since then the band rocked over fifty more gigs and remained popular on the heavy metal festivals and smaller venues as well.

High Spirits played a 10th anniversary show in Chicago in August 2019, and then it was time to make the next album. Called ‘Hard to Stop’ (which is also a great descriptor for the band overall), it is out on July 31st via High Roller Records.

It should come as no surprise to listeners unaware of High Spirits that what these hard rockers produce is high energy rock catchiness. Kicking off with the good-time guitar groove of Since You’ve Been Gone and followed through with the animated Restless, Face to Face and Hearts Will Burn.

High Spirits certainly keep things *ahem* in high spirits. Even when they go a little more mellow and classic rock, ala Voice in the Wind.

However, things do begin to taper off as the album goes on. A shame, as it’s not particularly long (35 odd minutes) and there are bright spots. Such as the ripping guitar solo in All Night Long, the catchy chorus of Midnight Sun and punkish edge of Now I Know. The latter, an album highlight.

High Spirits – Hard to Stop Full Track Listing:

1. Since You’ve Been Gone
2. Restless
3. Face to Face
4. Hearts Will Burn
5. Voice in the Wind
6. All Night Long
7. Midnight Sun
8. Now I Know
9. We Are Everywhere

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | YouTube | High Roller Records