Hardcore/Punk band Higher Power have a very simple but beautiful mantra, that reads “For The Moshers By Moshers.” This message is beautifully encapsulated on the band’s debut album Soul Structure (Flatspot), which is clearly an angry album but one that tries to convey how to deal with these feelings in a positive way, something which is very relatable to a lot of people and which is a very welcome notion in today’s society.

Hailing from Leeds, West Yorkshire (UK), the band exhibit a sound that, while easily recognisable and similar to bands such as Turnstile and Trapped Under Ice , still manages to be original in many ways, not least in respect of the vocals which have an almost Jane’s Addiction feel to them, also bringing to mind Ray Cappo from the Hardcore band Shelter . It feels like this band has no boundaries and they give the Hardcore sound a really fresh feel with equal doses of bounce and heaviness; the much sought-after HC Stomp is here in abundance.

There are so many standout tracks on offer, with songs like ‘Reflect’ building with an intro so slow and menacing before it escalates into an absolute banger of a song; the build and release that is so prevalent in Hardcore music is something that Higher Power do so well on this album. ‘Four Walls Black’ could have easily been written in the golden age of Hardcore and, again, it is then band’s ability to inject melody that lifts the song to a new level. It also has a great breakdown which doesn’t outstay its welcome displaying once again the mixture of styles that could see Higher Power bridging the gap between pop-Punk and Nineties New York Hardcore. This is no mean feat and no compromises are made in order to achieve this balancing act, more that the band wears their influences on their sleeves while continuing to throw curveballs throughout the album.

The whole album goes by in what seems like a few minutes, and this a testament to the sheer enjoyment then band appear to be having. Perhaps Soul Structure would have benefitted from more turns of pace, there are so many places Higher Power can go with this sound that I see nothing but a bright future in a genre crying out for a more melodic angle that doesn’t dispense with the harder edge. I honestly think that this could be seen as a real landmark for a new wave of bands coming through and Higher Power deserves to be at the forefront.

9.0/10

KIERAN MITCHELL