HOWE II – High Gear [Divebomb Records remastered reissue] (2021) *0dayrox EXCLUSIVE*
Out-of-print for years and long overdue for another chance to be heard, Divebomb Records is releasing this licensed reissue of HOWE II 1990 album ”High Gear”. Freshly remastered by Jamie King Audio, this a limited CD press – to just 1,000 copies.
When groundbreaking guitarist Greg Howe inked a deal with Shrapnel Records during the late ’80s, the terms included two full-band vocal albums by the group Greg had been working on with his brother, vocalist Al Howe, for years prior.
Formerly known as Duke, the band was fittingly rechristened HOWE II once joining the Shrapnel roster, rounding out its lineup with bassist Vern Parsons and drummer Joe Nevolo before issuing stunning debut full-length, High Gear, just one year later in 1989.
Featuring 10 tracks of high-octane hard rock —imagine Van Halen on nitrous oxide— ”High Gear” may have boasted scorching guitar work at its core, but there was no lack of emphasis on well-honed songwriting.
Extraordinary musicianship was seamlessly maneuvered into a framework of memorable compositions packed with power and emotion—as heard in the exuberant title track, the mid-paced pulse of “Thinking of You,” or the bluesy bounce of “Social Fever,” to cite but a few.
HIGHLY Recommended
Only at 0dayrox
01 – High Gear
02 – Carry the Torch
03 – Strat-O-Various
04 – Disorderly Conduct
05 – Thinking of You
06 – Standing on Line
07 – Ferocious
08 – Don’t Let the Sloe Gin (Order the Wine)
09 – Party Favors
10 – Social Fever
Al Howe – lead vocals
Greg Howe – guitar, backing vocals
Vern Parsons – bass, backing vocals
Joe Nevolo – drums, Backing vocals
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tribunalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/high-gear