IAN HIGHHILL – A Hymn Among Gravestones (2026) *HQ*
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Born amidst the cold forests and frozen lakes of Finland, clad in leather and spikes, tirelessly spreading the message of the Old Metal-testament through cryptic lyrics, haunting melodies, and doomy riffs. That’s what Ian E. Highhill has done his entire life as a singer, songwriter, musician, composer, and producer. He was greatly influenced by the NWOBHM movement as a young musician in the early 1980s, and perhaps even more so by the legendary Birmingham rock bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest from the 1970s.
It inspired him to embark on a lifelong journey of performing and recording both covers and original material with various bands. “A Hymn Among Gravestones” is IAN HIGHHILL second album as solo artist, and indeed his music is inspired by classic Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, but you need to add at least Deep Purple to that list. If like us, you think a combination of those three will work, read on.
With the proper 40 minutes for a metal album, after hear “A Hymn Among Gravestones” there is no escape to the fact that IAN HIGHHILL is capable of writing good songs that have punch, drive, and that will pique your interest from the first second until the last.
The combination of almost doomy rhythms with a bluesy undertone in the title track “A Hymn Among Gravestones” work just as well as the faster pace and impressive attitude that carries a song like “In The Name Of Greed”. The drumming in combination with the thundering bass do provide an extra layer of heaviness to an already very imposing tune. And those kinds of references are available and apparent throughout the whole album.
There’s well-written lyrics, interesting, such as ”The Guardians”, the history of the Sumerian King List we found completely captivating. I loved the idea that there could be an alternative to what we learn from history books.
The groovy hard rock of ”Deal with the Devil” is about young people (especially guys) who join criminal gangs to gain recognition and who sooner or later end up in a life where they always have to look over their shoulders and be on the run from the law or rival gangs. There’s a fine melody and a monster bassline carrying the song.
Well written, produced and executed, IAN HIGHHILL’s ”A Hymn Among Gravestones” is an effective classic metal album, Sabbath-easque at places, groovy hard rockin’ at others, entertaining old-fashioned rock n’ roll however with an updated sound design.
Highly Recommended
01 – In the Eye of the Storm
02 – A Hymn Among Gravestones
03 – In the Name of Greed
04 – The Oath Breaker
05 – Wild Winds
06 – The Guardians
07 – Insomnia
08 – Death Sentence
09 – Deal With the Devil
10 – King of Ashes
Ian Highhill – vocals
Jens Kewin – guitars, backing vocals
Krister Lundell – bass, backing vocals
Matt Shreck – drums
Pre order:
ianhighhill.com/music-1
