They came, they saw, they kicked ass, but then, off the woodwork, downward spiral into the heart of nothingness. Good times have their special way to end, but at some point, there is a chance to go back there, do it all again, with a certain advantage and come out high and mighty in the present. Similar to a variety of successful bands that became paramount in the early 90s, only to evaporate soon after, JUNKYARD shared a known fate. 2015 actually was a turning point, band is back, releasing an electrifying single that brought them back to the spotlight and into recognition once again. With the release of their expected third album, "High Water", via Acetate Records, JUNKYARD are trying to experience their old days and past glories under the banner of Rock.

It has been a while since I have listened to the self-titled debut, released in the closing months of the 80s, and honestly, I decided not to pursue listening to the old record, but to concentrate more on how JUNKYARD preserved their essence. For one thing, "High Water" presents a band that has been highly influenced by various faces within Rock and Punk, a band that greatly proved what happens when you take your influences all together and make them into good use.  The end result is a diverse blue collar Rock and Punk album that shares several shades of Rock N' Roll and Punk while not sticking into a single emblem but lives out through several iconic. Echoes of AC/DC / AEROSMITH / MOTORHEAD / BAD RELIGION crossed through my mind while listening to the tunes, needless to say, an impressive blending of Rock, Punk and Blues into a single fold, a fine convergence of modern and old school. In general, "High Water"'s greatest advantage its songwriting, and the band's playing abilities, can reach out not just to Rock and Punk addicts, yet also to others of the heavier and softer spectrums.

"Hell or High Water" is a sure deal, a harmonic Blues Rock song, hosting a cool mid tempo, terrific songwriting. In fact at first it reminded me of 90s R.E.M but slightly dirtier and heavier. "Kindness to the Dead" and 2015's single "Faded" derived of the AC/DC crunch. The former is a massively easy going riffer, a sort of a mixed Punkish feel with a tremendous lead guitar work while the latter is a catchier fling, comprised of a stoned tight rhythm performance. "Wallet" is the album's prime 90s oriented Punk Rock, fast paced energetic bomb that cannot be defused, wild, young and free. "Cut From The Same Cloth" is nice mixture of Punk Rock with a Bluesy edge, hard to shake that street type attitude of this one. "Hellbound" maintains a true solid American Melodic Hard Rock, the harmonic vocals upgraded it to become an even greater listener. "W.F.L.W.F." on the other hand, is a groove machine, a modern swagger with a piercing attitude that features well written solo section.

Another comeback for the books, another band stepping back into the light that is worth it. I think these guys should be heard a lot more often and for the newcomer folks to take notice of how things are done.