Highly Suspect - "As Above, So Below"

Above, below, mid

Massachusetts-based Hard/Alt-Rockers Highly Suspect have released their fifth album, As Above, So Below. Their music is typically tinged with touches of Blues and Grunge, and those elements are definitely present here. But possibly the most integral element of their songs has always been the gritty lyrics and subject matter, similar to bands like Seether.

I like a bit of grit now and then, but here, it just feels tired. The album as a whole feels largely directionless and uninspired, as much as I was hoping for something solid based on their previous discography and the title of this one. There are moments here where the band’s talent is clearly audible, but only a few songs really come together into something meaningful or enjoyable.

One of those is one of the album’s longer tracks, “Melatonia”, which starts slow and somber, but then picks up toward the end.

But I’m on my third listen as I write this and I just cannot find anything interesting to write about, really.

Rating: Orange