HIGHWAY – IV (2017)

Hailing from France, HIGHWAY is a classic hard rock band that has been active for almost twenty years, and “IV” is their just released new album.
It’s titled IV (four in Roman characters), indeed their fourth studio recording but in fact the third full length because the debut was a 6-track EP. The mighty Jeff Scott Soto duets in one song.

“IV” is a neat throwback into some of the golden eras of rock ‘n roll music. It blends the classic bluesy hard rock from the Seventies with some glam of the Eighties and the roughness of the early Nineties, spiced with some AORish melodies.
How does HighWay cope with all these influences?

Well, from the very first tones of opener ‘Brotherhood’ the answer to that question is very, very well. What a stomper this song is. It immediately sets the tone for the entire album. With heavy rock, a catchy chorus and flashing guitar solos, HighWay embody the definition of “good old fashioned hard rock music”.
The rest of the album follow that example and maintain the quality in spades.

“Pole Dancing Song” breathes a Southern atmosphere but with biting guitars and a punchy rhythm.
“Wake Up” is somewhat a melodic rocker where Jeff Scott Soto duets with HighWay’s front man Benjamin Folch, a vocalist with a soulful delivery with nothing to envy to Soto’s dexterity. Great tune.

From then on, the band constantly balances on the edges between sharp riffs and sweet melodies, executed with great precision and solid arangements. These guys can handle their instruments, that’s for sure.
I also like the backing vocals. Very often, the bassist and guitarist take their place behind a microphone. The result is rich in harmonies and adds a lot to the overall swing and catchiness.

Songs like ‘Psycho Lover’ and ‘Say Your Prayers’ can easily set festivals on fire, belonging to massive stages and huge arenas.
The album closes with two nice surprises, the quite original sounding ‘Chemical Trip’ and the blues rocker midtempo ‘Separate Ways’.

With solid songwriting, tight musicianship and a polished production, HighWay’s “IV” is an entertaining, very good slice of classic Hard Rock with fine melodies to enjoy. If you need a reference, think about Doug Aldrich’s Burning Rain, Bad Moon Rising, Whitesnake, some Thunder, etc.
Damn, if Jeff Scott Soto agreed to sing in your album you gotta be good. And HighWay are very good at their rocking game for sure.
Highly Recommended

01. Brotherhood
02. Pole Dancing Song
03. Wake Up (feat. Jeff Scott Soto)
04. Boogie Wave
05. Damned Me
06. Concession Time
07. Psycho-Lover
08. The Danger Zone
09. Say Your Prayers
10. Knock It Off
11. Chemical Trip
12. Separate Ways

Benjamin Folch (vocals)
Ben Chambert (guitars, backing vocals)
Romain Chambert (drums)
Sam Marshal (bass, backing vocals)
Jeff Scott Soto (guest vocals)

BUY IT !
www.highwayshop.kingeshop.com/IV-2017-cbaaaaara.asp
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