The Watchers - Sabbath Highway Review ⚡️

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Trucking along on Sabbath Highway !

Heavy Rock Supergroup The Watchers have graced us with a new album, called Sabbath Highway, via Ripple Music. Ripple Music always puts out quality listenings for us to enjoy; Sabbath Highway is no exception. It is a short listen, but the length is redeemed through the music.

How is the sound ?

What is interesting about Sabbath Highway is how the first, and title track, opens the album on a heavy and fast-paced note while the second track serves as the introduction because it’s an interlude of sorts. I’m not a fan of interludes or intros like that, but that doesn’t take away from Sabbath Highway. In fact, I’d say that interlude sets you up for the proceeding track. “Call the Priest” definitely goes about things differently than “Sabbath Highway.” “Sabbath Highway” is fast and heavy, like I said. “Call the Priest” definitely sticks to a more laid-back, but still heavy stoner rock style. The riffs are slower and allow you to appreciate a beer and that snare a bit more than the other songs. “Call the Priest” isn’t all rest and relaxation, though. When the bridge comes, expect a shift into the next gear while the guitars wail away. The solo is amazing and the way the rhythm guitar eases up to guide you back into the original groove is slick.

What The Watchers do well is craft a heavy riff, roll with it, but don’t over do it. They always throw something in between verses or chorus that keeps it fresh or just drive the song on a roundabout, like they did on “Call the Priest.” The final two tracks on Sabbath Highway are similar to the title track on the sense that they are fast, loud, and heavy. They are heavy in different ways, though. “Today” is heavy because of it’s faster pace and because of the powerful licks and solo thrown in. They are loud and in your face, but they don’t take over the whole song. “Just a Needle” is an interesting end to the album because it’s like a fusion of “Call the Priest” and “Sabbath Highway.” It has the relaxed pace and riffage of “Call the Priest”, but heated moments like “Sabbath Highway” brought us.

I’m not sure how to describe the vocals, but they do fit well with the other instruments. The vocalist is able to match the flaring heat in “Sabbath Highway” and “Just a Needle” as well keep an edge when “Call the Priest” takes it easy. I love the guitar tone because it’s kind of fuzzy and kind of over-driven. It’s low enough to give chugs and palm-mutes plenty of grit. The tone does wonders for the solos and really gives the higher notes a hefty bite.