Chicago stoner doom aficionados High Priest have released the psychedelic video for “Divinity” as the first single taken from their debut full-length album “Invocation”. The debut is scheduled for release on June 23rd, 2023.
High Priest comments on the album: “This record was a long long time coming”, guitarist John Regan writes about “Invocation”. “On top of the craziness in the world the last two years, we experienced a lot of changes as a band: PHDs, new businesses, new homes, new cities. Despite all that, we brought all our energy into an album that feels like the best and most complete work we’ve ever done. ‘Invocation’ feels like catharsis inside chaos”.
Watch the official video for the new single “Divinity” below.
John Regan discusses the lead single “Divinity”: “We had eight songs written and decided to do one more push to see what we could come up with”, the guitarist states. “I started playing some iPhone riff demos and when Dan heard ‘Divinity’, he said, ‘that one is a banger’. We started working with it and the full song pretty much came together in one day. It’s probably the most energetic song on the record, and we feel like it gives every piece a moment in the sun: huge drum fills, harmonized guitar solos, and a vocal hook. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to get in your car and drive down an open road, only your car is a spaceship and the road is the galaxy”.
Pre-order & pre-save “Invocation” here.
Tracklist:
1. Invocation
2. Divinity
3. Ceremony
4. Cosmic Key
5. Down in the Dark
6. Universe
7. Conjure
8. Heaven
Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here to worship the gods at the altar of heavy metal. High Priest have come forth from Chicago, Illinois in the United States of America to brighten your days with a message of hope and doom, one that is hammered into metal, stone and rock to assume the shape of their debut album “Invocation”.
High Priest have taken the prophecies of the elders to their hearts. Their glorious harmonies and melodies bear the catchy mark of Thin Lizzy. There is dark heaviness foretold by Black Sabbath and renewed by Electric Wizard, and even a touch of Metallica’s more classic riffs. From the scriptures of grunge comes an emotional force that has been received through prayers directed at Alice In Chains. All of this is set forth in a new testament of blues-laden guitar-riffs and soulful vocals.
What sets High Priest apart from many of their peers is an optimism that soars over the sludge, an openness to the bright sky showing through the clouds, a gaze into space at the wonders of the universe. Yet even as these Americans make references to familiar religious concepts and themes, they promote no particular faith beyond a devotion to metal.
There is also a sense of understanding and a bond of unity among the musicians that’s audible throughout “Invocation”, easily explained since the members of High Priest have been friends since childhood. Drummer Dan Polak even recalls when guitarist Pete Grossmann had the training wheels taken off his bike. Yep, their friendship goes that far back, and it’s evident in their musical interaction.
With the friends playing together in various bands and line-ups since their youth, High Priest came into being with a clear vision in mind. While watching an Electric Wizard show in 2015, they spontaneously and simultaneously concluded that they wanted to play doom and old school metal from that day on (all while transfixed by the performance and having to shout their agreement over the din of the PA).
The fire of true passion was lit and nothing could stop the four friends, even while variously writing a PhD, running a restaurant (and serving as head chef), owning and operating a recording studio, and other such matters, from getting together in the rehearsal room and loosing the fruits of their new inspiration.
Their first public declaration of the metal gospel was the 2016 EP “Consecration”, which got High Priest much attention throughout the doom and stoner metal scene as well as a record deal with Magnetic Eye, which led to the release of second EP “Sanctum” in 2019.
And now the time has come to rejoice: High Priest deliver their eagerly anticipated debut full-length album, and “Invocation” doesn’t just live up to what the two EPs promised, but will carry you straight to the heavens on a chariot of fiery riffs. Amen!
Line-up:
Pete Grossmann – Guitar
Justin Valentino – Vocals, bass
Dan Polak – Drums
John Regan – Guitar
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/highpriestchicago
www.instagram.com/highpriestdoom
