Hell or Highwater, the current project of Atreyu vocalist and drummer Brandon Saller, puts a literal spin on their debut album ‘Begin Again’, releasing the album a second time after independently releasing it in 2011. This time around, with a little more recognition and a label, Saller’s new band delivers a slew of radio-ready tracks born out of Saller’s need for a creative outlet during Atreyu’s hiatus. 

Picking up the guitar rather than the drumsticks, Saller and crew deliver pure rock to your ears. Starting out the album with ‘Gimme Love’, Saller’s gritty vocals blast over happy melodies and solid riffs, setting the tone for the album. This album is full of huge guitar solos, tons of energy with quick snappy drums and complex layers of sounds – like on ‘Hail Mary!’ and ‘Terrorized in the Night.’ 

‘Begin Again’ tries on quite a few different styles throughout the eleven tracks. ‘Tragedy’ rocks a Nickleback vibe with a very catchy chorus, while ‘Rock Waters Edge’ brings a folky, Americana feel with a hint of country twang and sticky-sweet love song lyrics. ‘Find the Time to Breathe’ brings a sexy, seductive quality that is a bit edgier and gritty, contrasting hugely with ‘We All Wanna Go Home’, a rhyme-y and repetitive pop track. 

Hell or Highwater maintains a continuous sound throughout the album while still bringing diversity to each song. However, there is a certain monotony that shines through the more you listen. There is nothing new or groundbreaking on this album, even sounding a bit dated at times. Not to marginalize or generalize this new band, but to put it very simply, Saller’s new band sounds a lot like Atreyu without any of the hardcore elements like screaming vocals and double bass pedal action. Hell or Highwater is a very radio-friendly band that could potentially garner a mainstream audience. Their sound isn’t exactly what you might be looking for, especially if you’re a hardcore music fan.

However, if you’re already a fan of Saller, there is plenty for you to enjoy on ‘Begin Again’. Saller has a powerful voice and presence, and the band delivers a sound that is much more like an experienced band and not something to merely keep Saller busy. 

3.5/5

‘Begin Again’ by Hell Or Highwater is released on 5th February through Pavement Entertainment.

Hell Or Highwater links: Official Website|Facebook|Twitter

Words by Jenny Gagas (@Jenny_herself)