Consider the notion of Philly’s High Reeper as a ‘Heavy’ metal band. That’s Heavy metal as opposed to heavy metal, taking the heft of heavy rock and roll and transposing it onto a more aggressive backdrop. Is that what’s happening on their third full-length, Renewed by Death? Could be; I haven’t heard the record yet. Certainly the first single “Torn From Within” seems to bring together a metallic bite with a density of groove, and the death-rides-a-snake-past-phallic-monoliths (takes one to know one there, Obelisk guy) cover art feels like it’s likewise positioning the band more toward a metal sphere. Maybe that’s how High Reeper want to distinguish themselves this time around. Will be interesting to hear how it unfolds across the full album when the time comes.

That time, incidentally, is Oct. 4. High Reeper have been to Europe and back (not their first trip, I think) alongside labelmates Hippie Death Cult in the time since I was fortunate enough to see them at Desertfest New York 2022 (review here), and while it’s a little sad that they didn’t take advantage of the chance to call their third LP ‘Highest Reeper‘ in the one-upping spirit of 2019’s Higher Reeper (review here) and their 2017 self-titled debut (review here), I get that maybe they didn’t want to write themselves into a corner. What would you call a fourth album in that case? This is how amps end up going to 11, although that too was pretty goddamned metal.

The PR wire brings news of Renewed by Death for your perusal. Track’s at the bottom of this post:

East Coast heavy metallers HIGH REEPER to release new album “Renewed By Death” on Heavy Psych Sounds; debut single streaming now!

US heavy metal quintet HIGH REEPER return strong with their third studio album “Renewed By Death”, to be released on October 4th through Heavy Psych Sounds. Stream their fierce new single “Torn From Within” now!

Three years after appearing on the “Doom Sessions Vol.5” split, HIGH REEPER are back with their most ambitious album yet. “Renewed By Death” is a true heavy metal assault: eight tracks that take you on a journey to the darkest depths and leave you there to rot, featuring monolithic riffs that pummel you from the opening of the album to the close, guitar solos reminiscent of George Lynch and Dave Navarro, and powerful vocals that deliver a knockout blow. This album showcases the band’s desire to keep evolving and exploring new sounds and ideas.

Listen to High Reeper’s new single “Torn From Within”

About the song, the band comments: “We wanted to lean into our love of 80s and 90s metal without pulling away from our love of 70s doom. ‘Torn From Within’ sets the tone for what this album is about – if you love something set it on fire and watch it writhe, see what’s born from the ash.”

“Renewed By Death” was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Shane Trimble at the band’s brand new studio Sletner Sound, in Wilmington Delaware with Justin Di Pinto also engineering. The cover was done by Solomacello and photos of the band were done by Drew Wiedemann.

New album “Renewed By Death”
Out October 4th on Heavy Psych Sounds – Preorder: https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS317

TRACKLIST:
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

Born of Sabbath City dealing in Hard Rock from the soul… HIGH REEPER is a heavy metal band from Delaware/Philadelphia. Shortly after forming in 2016, they were signed to Heavy Psych Sounds Records and have since released two full-length albums and one split EP. They supported their first two releases with almost 90 dates over three tours in Europe alone, including stops at HPS Fests Rome and Innsbruck, Desertfest Berlin and Antwerp, headlining their venue at Desertfest London, Esbjerg Fuzztival and many other killer shows abroad and in the US.

Originally with a sound deeply rooted in modern stoner metal while still giving a nod to classic heavy metal records, HIGH REEPER’s sound has continued to evolve with each LP and through lineup changes. The result of which helped produce their upcoming 2024 full-length length which is a 35-minute assault of brand new metal that finds the band looking clearly forward while at the same time exploring their influences from the 80s and early 90s. Their third studio album “Renewed By Death” will see the day in the fall of 2024 on Heavy Psych Sounds.

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

https://www.facebook.com/HIGHREEPER/
https://www.instagram.com/highreeper/
https://highreeper.bandcamp.com/

heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/
https://www.instagram.com/heavypsychsounds_records/

High Reeper, “Torn From Within”