Review HIGHLY SUSPECT “As Above, As Below”

Unconventional but not unattractive, this is the latest musical effort from Highly Suspect. Formed in 2009, the band released their debut album, “Mister Asylum,” in 2015 after having put out a few EPs.

“As Above, So Below” is their fourth longplayer and it just hit the shelves. What comes out of the speakers is a fusion of different influences. Hard rock, blues and alternative rock all blend together, allowing Highly Suspect to create a wider musical portfolio.

Highly Suspect’s fourth effort shows an approach of pushing musical boundaries and not accepting a status quo. For example, there is the straightforward rocker “Suicide Machine,” which is a hard-rocking tune with a rebellious vibe. The counterpart to this type of songs is “Melatonia”. The latter is a tranquil acoustic song with an emotional vocal delivery. It is a soulful moment on the album. It’s a song that allows the listener to escape from reality for a moment. It is a deep dive into the world of emotions, a time of reflection with a lot of melancholy.

Light-hearted and with a powerful swing, “Mexico” roars out of the speakers, while “Run For Your Death (More Pills)” is a powerful song with a certain gloom that pours out of every note.

The lead single “Summertime Voodoo” is also the opener of “As Above As Below”. Not only is the song a great mix of quieter moments of darkness and fiercer outbursts in the chorus, but the song also reflects a lot of personal things in the lyrics. Dealing with the acceptance of one’s own ego and the problems that come with it is like a story of life, and some of the chapters are part of this release.

“As Above As Below” is a great rock album with many facets. Held together by the emotional aspect of the different songs, Highly Suspect release an album with an emotional impact. It’s an authentic musical release that shows life as something that has constant ups and downs which are perfectly portrayed by the music on this album. These songs are real and come without any sugar coating.