Hightower

Guitarist Jake Japanese and drummer Shane Mednich cut their teeth together in New York’s late-‘80s punk scene before moving to San Francisco and meeting Iowa transplant (and bass player) Dave Fallis. Hightower formed in the mid-‘90s, intending to form a three-piece band inspired by early Black Sabbath, Cliff Burton-era Metallica and old-school New York hardcore. But since then their sound has organically morphed into mostly instrumental metal/thrash compositions that build on complex arrangements and proggy changes. The maniacal “Space Madness” opens their 2004 self-titled debut oozing layers of distorted sludge alongside gang vocals and beer bottles breaking under a chaotic explosion of guitar and drums. “Force and the Fury” is a more triumphant tune that rubs demonic metal (replete with larynx-shredding vocals) against frantic rhythms of the band’s bygone skate-rock influences (Agnostic Front, Minor Threat, Black Flag, etc.). The build-up and delivery of “I Am the Wallride” is so contagious, it has scored numerous skate videos.