Since forming in 2016, London's High Vis have refined their palette of progressive hardcore with shades of post-punk, Brit-pop, neo-psychedelia and even Madchester groove, finding a middle ground between hooks and rage, melodies and mosh pits. Singer Graham Sayle describes their third album Guided Tour as an axis of competing forces: "It tries to be a hopeful record while being angry at the same time." The band, completed by drummer Edward 'Ski' Harper, bassist Jack Muncaster and guitarists Martin MacNamara and Rob Hammaren, is deeply rooted in the UK and Irish DIY hardcore scene and is inspired by restlessness and righteous anger in equal measure. Sayle says: "Everyone is scratching their heads, everyone is working all the time, and the idea of relaxation is to fuck off and escape reality. This album is an escape from that reality." From the first seconds of a cabin door slamming, a car roaring to life and a baggy rhythm coming to life, Guided Tour sounds like a band striving for new heights and bursting with energy.
The result of several weeks of recording at Holy Mountain Studios in London with producer Jonah Falco and sound engineer Stanley Gravett feels dynamic and rehearsed, like anthems that have been burnt into the memory of the senses through sweat and repetition. Harper sums it up: "We had a clear idea, every moment was utilised. When we're 60, maybe we can sit down and get a drum sound down, but right now it's about getting things done." The album's 11 songs span the entire spectrum of contemporary guitar music, honed by experience, camaraderie and societal frustrations. From peppy street punk ("Drop Me Out," "Mob DLA") to strident indie sneer ("Worth The Wait," "Deserve It") to heavy alt ("Feeling Bless," "Fill The Gap") and shoegazey spoken word ("Untethered"), the group's chemistry transforms each style into their unique intensity. Sayle champions this evolving fusion: "For years, coming from hardcore, we had pretty clear boundaries - other scenes were separate worlds. Now things are blending more and more, we're drawing from different sources."
Tracklist:
1. GUIDED TOUR
2. DROP ME OUT
3. WORTH THE WAIT
4. FEELING BLESS
5. FILL THE GAP
6. FARRINGDON
7. MOB DLA
8. UNTETHERED
9. DESERVE IT
10. MIND'S A LIE
11. GONE FOREVER
