High Spirits is a traditional Heavy Metal band reminiscent of many NWOBHM acts that only just recently formed. Spawning in 2009, the band is actually just one member, Chris Black, who handles vocals and bass, and also works with Nechtmystium, Dawnbringer, and more. The rest of the band is comprised of live members, a few stemming from other bands too such as Superchrist and Zuul. However, given the backgrounds of these bands, this is perhaps one of the most obscure outfits from everyone involved. So far, the band has yet to release a proper full-length, as the self-titled full-length only reissues their two demos and includes two bonus tracks. Roughly one year after that full-length, High Spirits issued a 7" vinyl single that is nothing special outside of some fun, classic Metal tunes.
By saying nothing special, that doesn't mean the music is bad. By nothing special, it refers to the artwork accompanying this vinyl release. there is none. Instead, it follows with the artwork formula that the band started with their Demo 2008, being simply white with the band logo in black, as well as the track name on each side, and the copyright year. Of course, this is the vinyl itself. The sleeve it comes in, however, is just pure white. No logo, no image, no text, nothing. But while the packaging really isn't anything special, though very nostalgic to old-school NWOBHM-based demo materials being mostly plain and xeroxed, the actual music contained on this piece of plastic is actually very refreshing.
Musically, it's exactly what you would expect from a Heavy Metal band, out of the late seventies and early eighties. "Let's Rock" is just a straight forward fun as hell Hard Rock anthem set to a traditional early Heavy Metal foundation. The guitars have a great bite to them, the solo is great, and the clean vocals work well with it to set the proper time-based atmosphere, being a more clean high pitched approach. While this song is simply addicting, and unfortunately very short, though if it were extended it may very well lose some of it's magic, the following track "Running Home" is just as good. The latter song goes at a slower pace then "Let's Rock", and really is focused on the vocals to push the song along. The main vocals on this song don't really change much from "Let's Rock", just a little less enthusiastic, and can get a little repetitive if the verses were actually longer then what they are. However, the singing on the chorus is far catchier and is more harmonized with the actual song being played. It would have been nice, however, to have the closing of the song fade out a little nicer instead of just fading briefly then completely stopping.
Of the two songs, "Let's Rock" is perhaps the most enjoyable off the single, though "RUnning Home" does still make for a good track. If you enjoy early Heavy Metal or NWOBHM acts, then this 7" vinyl from High Spirits is right up your alley. Let's Rock/Running Home makes for a good little side piece to your collection, and is worth a look if you have the money to spare, and a working record player.
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