Monday, 26 February 2018

High Reeper - S/T (Album Review)

 

Release date: 16th March 2018. Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

High Reeper – S/T – Tracklisting

1. Die Slow
2. Chrome Hammer
3. Soul Taker
4. High Reeper
5. Reeper Deadly Reeper
6. Weed & Speed
7. Double Down And Let It Ride
8. Black Leather (Chose Us)
9. Friend Of Death

Members

Pat Daly
Zach Thomas
Andrew Price
Napz Mosley
Shane Trimble

Review

Greetings All,

A hazy cloud of mystery surrounds the five guys that comprise the stellar High Reeper. I only know there are five guys from the album cover and video that I have seen. Actually, it appears they just recently emerged from the Philadelphia area. Their self-titled debut album drops 9 killer tunes full of dark, groove heavy stoner rock.

High Reeper look and sound like the house band at a biker bar in a post-apocalyptic biker flick. Their self-titled record hits all the right soulful, drugged out chords. Themes of drugs, Satan, riffs, and death permeate every track. There is no mistaking what High Reeper is all about and exactly what they are bringing to the table.

The record opens with Die Slow, a track full of Sabbathian/Kyuss style riffage, doomy lyrics and a tasty bass solo to boot. Chrome Hammer is a shorter, up tempo track that recalls later era Sabbath. The riffs continue through Soul Taker which sounds eerily reminiscent to the Sabbath classic War Pigs. It is all the more relevant in the times we are living in today.

The band and album title track High Reeper starts with a bass heavy, riff laden intro and features a pretty sweet drum solo. There just aren’t enough drum solos in 2018. Reeper Deadly Reeper is a blazing stomper that focuses on a killer start/stop sound and riff. Weed and Speed starts with an ominous sounding intro before kicking with a ton swagger. The track grooves with a sick anthem like quality.

Double Down and Let it Ride seems in part to be a bit of homage to AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and the like with a definite classic rock vibe and sound. Black Leather (Chose Us) follows. The track has all the feel of late 70’s/early 80’s metal. The ominous, evil laughter that erupts in the song tells you all you need to know.

Friend of Death closes the album with a sinister heavy groove. It is the most metal sounding track and is catchy as hell with some inspired Iommi/VH guitar solos.

High Reeper’s debut album is a formidable debut that unleashes a mighty rumble and commands, no demands that you listen repeatedly. The record is chock full of killer riffs and righteous grooves that will have fans clamouring for more. There is plenty of Stoner groove and swagger to spare from these fine fellows.

Do yourself a favor and grab their debut album that way you can tell everyone you were into High Reeper since way back in the day. Dig it!

- Todd S

Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou

Words by Todd Stealey

Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. High Reeper's debut album will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from March 16th 2018.

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