If you're of a certain age (like me) you will remember the 90’s as probably the greatest time for rock music since the 70s (which I’m too young to remember but old enough to appreciate). I grew up listening to mainstream rock bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, Faith No More and Guns N’ Roses. But it wasn’t until the late 90’s when Helmet dropped the criminally underrated Aftertaste that I fell in love with and discovered a whole new sub-genre of music called American Post-Hardcore.
Back then I do not believe there was any other genre that was as exciting. Quicksand, Helmet, Far, Handsome, Orange 9mm, even the Deftones—these bands and their music have genuinely stood the test of time and influenced a whole new generation of bands. Higher Power are definitely one of those bands.
When I first heard 27 Miles Underwater, I was transported back to 1998 immediately. From the opening riff of ‘Seamless’ and its breakdown midway through, it felt like I was experiencing the joy of hearing Quicksand or Helmet for the first time.
Higher Power are another band in 2020 (like Abrams) who have taken their influences and made them their own. It helps that they have a lead singer who sounds like Perry Farrell to throw you off guard, particularly if you‘re expecting some screaming to follow your breakdown. ‘Lost in Static’ is a prime example of how that scenario plays out. ‘Low Season‘ is the song that reminds me most of that particular time period. It could easily have been written by Quicksand. ‘In The Meantime’ is a great little acoustic rocker to break up the hardcore, and ’Drag the Line’ is an exceptional closer that goes through a number of quiet/loud dynamic shifts, recalling Helmet’s ‘Insatiable’.
I think it's brilliant that a bunch of 20 year old kids (from Leeds, England!) have been influenced enough by American Post Hardcore to channel it into their own music—and do it in a way that transports the listener back to a simpler time. Given the mess that 2020 has turned out to be, a trip back to the 90's sounds cracking to me.