High Reeper - Renewed By Death (Album Review)

Release Date: October 04th 2024. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Renewed By Death - Track Listing:

1. Renewed By Death
2. Alluring Violence
3. Lamentations of the Pale
4. Broken Upon The Wheel
5. Jaws of Darkness
6. Smoldering Remains
7. Torn From Within
8. Echoes of Mortality

Line-up:

Zach Thomas — Vocals
Pat Daly — Rhythm guitars
Shane Trimble — Lead guitars
Jimmy Althouse — Bass
Justin Di Pinto — Drums

Review

High Reeper have returned with a renewed energy, a renewed direction, and a renewal of sounds that I can only imagine the guys grew up on. While not completely wiping the slate clean, they have certainly branched off into an exciting new territory with the focus being on the heavy. You really have to respect a band for going out on a limb so to speak and take a partial step back from the sound they released a few albums and an E.P. under. If there ever was a thought that it was a gamble, it has surely paid off as ‘Renewed By Death’ pays in large dividends!

Right out of the gate the band shatters any illusion of being defined to one genre, or even a comparison to previous albums. No this isn’t the High Reeper of 2016, nor 2019, and not even the same as 2021. The title track ‘Renewed By Death’ features heavy hitting drums and thundering bass pounding out tempos of headbanging delight. There seems to be an underlying aggression throughout the album, and you can hear it in the immense riffs and vocal delivery. Staying on the offense ‘Alluring Violence’ is a fierce song influenced by thrash bands of yesteryear, with a particular nod towards Slayer in the production, vocals, and of course the guitar solo. The band was quoted with saying the song is about the human obsession of violence, well it seems the hearts of man know no different.

Something else that is very apparent on the album are the abundance of those catchy guitar parts, ‘Lamentations of the Pale’ is no different, embracing wicked thrash and doom riffage. High Reeper have no trouble combining the two and using it to the song’s as well as the entire album’s advantage. The assault continues with ‘Broken Upon The Wheel’ embodying groove metal with a Pantera vibe on guitar and the bass is thick and heavy. Just when you’ve settled in, that breakdown at the end kicks you right in the teeth.

‘Jaws of Darkness’ reminded me of ‘Skeletons of Society’, I’m all for some Slayer worship when it is done well, and this is done exceptionally well! It’s a subtle gesture but an obvious influence. The vocals are great, I feel like the more mid-tone style fits the new direction of the band and I’ve always liked the bit of rasp. The doomy beginnings of ‘Smoldering Remains’ are short lived as you’re thrown back into the monstrous riffs and diabolical lyrics of occultism. An excerpt of a sermon warns that the unsaved souls of man are doomed to an everlasting fiery pit to burn for all eternity, now that’s metal as fuck!

Track seven ‘Torn From Within’ is my favorite song on the album, the drums and bass are pummeling, locked into a tight groove, while the dual guitars harmonize. The riff and hostile vocals on the chorus push it to another level entirely. I’m not surprised it was the first single off the album, it's straight up fire! The final and longest song on the album is ‘Echoes of Mortality’, it also contains some of the doomier sounds on ‘Renewed By Death’ reminding you of the band's origins. Seamlessly pieced together with different tempos, a clean intro morphs into a crushing verse with echoing vocals describing, much like the band, the regeneration, the revival, and the rebirth from fire and ash.

This is an upgraded, more refined High Reeper with artistic evolution being at the forefront. ‘Renewed By Death’ is an excellent album, one that is unlike anything they’ve done before as well as being different from the majority of what’s going on currently in the heavy underground, but that’s part of what makes it so appealing. I’m really excited for the band and completely embrace the transformation, it’s truly a powerful album and statement.

Words by Jon McGough

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Renewed By Death will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds from Friday 04th October 2024.

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