Karina Utomo, the raptor-like vocalist of Melbourne outfit, High Tension is the unique point of difference for this band on the rise.
Often scathing but nonetheless melodic in her delivery, her performance in this frenetic rock/punk hybrid commands attention throughout.
‘Blaze Up’ doesn’t take long to set the scene of what this band is about. Laden with hooks and bound together with the guttural demonic screams of the frontwoman.
Death Beat rolls around from one riff to another, ‘Collingwood’ providing a dirty melodic punk anthem before perennial Triple J favourite ‘High Risk, High Rewards’ is unfurled, perhaps best emphasising the band’s vibe, with a catchy hook from Ash Pegram, who along with Utomo evolved from disco-punk band, Young & Restless.
If the signs weren’t there already that Utomo’s scowling voice demands excitement across the Australian rock scene than new single, ‘Mountain Of Dead’, surely provides the evidence.
Heavier than anything else on the release the track contains a black metal element as if further to enhance “that” transcendent voice.
High Tension have a nice balance of blending frenetic rock but making it almost groovy in the process, and perhaps even a little bit sexy. Having already featured as support for some of Australia’s best rock/metal talent, it won’t be long until High Tension draw sizeable crowds themselves.
