Since ACCEPT reached a worldwide commercial success during "Restless & Wild" and "Balls to the Wall" ages, all the eyes of Metalheads turned to Germany (it's a common phenomenon, and it happened with Sweden due Death Metal invasion on the beginning of the 90's, and with Norway's Black Metal insurgence in the end of the first half of the 90's). Then everyone knew and praised German Metal scene due its ample set of Metal features, from Power Metal to Thrash/Black Metal, and on those days, if a band was from Germany, it was the same of telling that its work would be good. So HIGH FIGHTER, from Hamburg, has to deal with such inheritance, but "Champain" is a good release, indeed.

They're labeled as a Sludge/Stoner Metal band, but the label isn't fair with their music, because it's melodic and charming in many ways, and not dirty and distorted as some fans of this specific gender would like. It can be labeled as such thing if the listener have the clear idea that they dare to use contrasts of clean voices with harsh tunes, some very good melodies, and tempos that aren't as slow as many frantic would love. No, their music is not limited to such patterns. "Champain" was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jan Oberg at Hidden Planet Studio, and the sound quality was conceived to be defined and to give their songs a level of understanding that isn't usual to this musical genre. The crude feeling resides on the set of instrumental tunes used by the quintet, so it's abrasive, but in a way that everyone can understand their music.

When the main matter is their songs, they have guts and talent to be different from many, and to defy opinions that were turned rules by some wise guys. And the harsh ambiance of "Before I Disappear" (very good Sabbathic guitar riffs entangled with harsh voices), the oppressive feeling that permeates "Dead Gift" (very good guitar once more, but the strong work from bass guitar and drums creates the right set of tempos to make of this song a good experience for the ears) and "Another Cure" (brutal and harsh, with very good vocals' parts), the charming melodies and accessible touches presented on "Kozel", the introspective melancholic touch presented on "I Will Not", and the mix of filthy, melodies and aggressiveness shown on "When We Suffer" are their best shots.

Of course their music still needs maturing, but it's a matter of shows and rehearsals for HIGH FIGHTER to reach their musical peak. But "Champain" is a good experience for the ears right now, indeed.