HIGHWAY QUEEN – Bitter Soul

Finnish Metal band debuting their first album Bitter Soul on Rockshots Records. The album was released on December 16th, 2022.

Highway Queen

Since this is their debut album, there isn’t much to compare this to. That isn’t a bad thing either. Bands starting with a fresh slate and no baggage can focus on the task at hand, making a solid album and creating good music in the future. And, Highway Queen seem to have done just that. Bitter Soul is a solid record that serves up something for just about anybody that is a fan of Metal, Hard Rock, or even a Bluesy style of Rock. Prior to this album, members of the band were in various cover bands playing other peoples’ music. Somewhere in their journey they decided to make their own music and put out an album of original work.

Bitter Soul

Many of the songs on Bitter Soul showcase the various scenarios one might find in their own life: shame, anger and bitterness. And Highway Queen couldn’t have found a better vocalist, Virpi Kaarianinen, to bring the music to life with each lyric she sings on this album. The song “Bitter Soul” is probably one of the more Blues influenced yet heavier songs on the album. When the drums start out the song, it takes you back to the Rock days of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Other songs worth checking out on this record are “Get on Your Knees,” “Hey,” and “I Dim the Lights.”

Overall, the album Bitter Soul, is great. All the songs are varied to some degree, yet still retain a soulful feel with heavy drum and bass. The guitar work on this album sounds like it was heavily influenced by John Christ of Danzig which will hopefully bring in a fanbase with similar taste. The sound quality on the record is good. There are some points when the vocals are drowned out by the guitar, but that happens rarely so it isn’t a nuisance.

Tracklisting

1. Hey!
2. Get On Your Knees
3. I Lean On You
4. Here I Am
5. I Dim the Lights
6. Bitter Soul
7. In Vain
8. Own Will

Album Credits

• Bass tracks played for the album by Jykke Tikka
• Produced, engineered & mixed by Aleksanteri Kuosa
• Cover and photos: Henri Backman
• Mastered by Jukka Yliaho/Masterlab
• Recorded at Inka Studio

Lineup

Virpi Kaarianinen – Vocals
Teemu Kaarianinen – Guitar
Henri Backman – Drums