Champain
– Tracklisting
1.
Before I Disappear
2.
Shine Equal Dark
3.
Dead Gift
4.
Another Cure
5.
Kozel
6.
I Will Not
7.
When We Suffer (feat. Anton Lisovoj of Downfall of Gaia)
8.
A Shrine
9.
Champain
Members
Mona
Miluski – vocals
Christian
"Shi" Pappas – guitar
Ingwer
Boysen – guitar
Constantin
Wüst – bass
Thomas
Wildelau - drums & backing vocals
Review
It
seems life on the road has impacted High Fighter in a huge way. As
their new album CHAMPAIN has a heavier and fast-paced sound compared
to their acclaimed debut album. The best way to describe High Fighter
in 2019 is PISSED OFF. This is a different band that announced their
arrival in 2014 with their debut EP – The Goat Ritual.
The
first thing I have to mention that has changed is Mona’s vocals.
I’ve never heard Mona sing Death Metal growls but here she is
singing in a style that I wouldn’t expect to hear in a million
years. As Mona has always sung soulful and melodic vocals with every
record that she’s been involved with. I like this more aggressive
style of vocals from Mona. She has a real talent for it. Though Mona
doesn’t forget her Doom/Stoner Metal roots as Mona still sings
plenty of clean vocals on CHAMPAIN.
Lets
move onto High Fighter’s music. The guys now play a mix of
Hardcore, Thrash, Doom and Stoner Metal but with a more progressive
and aggressive tone. CHAMPAIN isn’t for the faint hearted and the
band may actually disappoint some of their established fanbase at
first. with this album. However to survive in this business you need
to evolve and High Fighter have most definitely evolved.
Opening
songs – Before I Disappear, Shine Equal Dark and Dead Gift –
create an eerie and gloomy atmosphere where the mood can be
pitch-black in places. The soaring and brutal riffs allow Mona to
show her impressive vocal range on this album.
CHAMPAIN
is an album that I didn’t expect from High Fighter and truth be
told I expected Scars & Crosses Part 2. So it’s to High
Fighter’s credit they have released something so dramatically
different to their debut album.
High
Fighter are highly respected and well thought of within the
Doom/Stoner Metal world and the band have called in a few favours for
this album. As you have Anton Lisovoj of Downfall Of Gaia fame
providing vocals on the excellent song – When We Suffer. CHAMPAIN
has been recorded, mixed & mastered by Jan Oberg of EARTHSHIP and
GRIN fame.
HIGH
FIGHTER have released
a daring, bold, brutal and highly creative album with
CHAMPAIN. Now it’s time for the world to be re-introduced to the
heavy sounds of HIGH FIGHTER.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Mona at All Noir PR for the promo. Champain will be available to
buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records from July 26th
2019.
Links
