HIGHROAD NO. 28 | INTERVIEW + TRACK REVIEW

After more than a decade away from the spotlight, Highroad No. 28 are back—louder, wiser, and with a fire that’s anything but faded. Their upcoming album The Will to Endure marks a bold return for the Brisbane-based band, whose early releases helped define an era of emotionally raw and sonically heavy underground rock. Now, with fresh energy and a sharpened focus, they’re gearing up to hit the stage again and reconnect with a world that’s changed since their last transmission. We caught up with bassist James, the newest member of the band, to talk resurrection, legacy, and why this chapter might be their most vital yet.

TRACK REVIEW

From the very first moment, “A Ghost I Made” drips with atmosphere—an ambient, almost spiritual pulse that draws you in like a memory you forgot you had. The opening is haunting in the best possible way, and then… the gong hits. It’s unexpected, bold, and immediately sets this track apart from anything formulaic. That one moment alone tells you: this isn’t just a song—it’s an experience.

As the track unfolds, intricate sounds flicker in and out of focus, like light shifting through stained glass. There’s real craftsmanship in the production—each flourish feels carefully placed, yet organic. It’s the kind of intro that doesn’t just build anticipation, it opens a doorway.

And then the vocals arrive. Harmonically rich and warm, they don’t just sing—they lift. There’s an uplifting tone in the delivery that contrasts beautifully with the brooding undertones of the instrumentation. It creates this strange, compelling emotional duality: a song about ghosts that somehow makes you feel alive.

What stands out most is how purposeful it all feels. Every sound, every lyric, every pause—it’s all serving something deeper. “A Ghost I Made” doesn’t try to overwhelm you with volume; it lingers with presence. It leaves behind an echo, like the best kind of haunting—one that reminds you who you are and where you’ve been.

LISTEN HERE

What does it feel like to be back in the studio and on stage again after more than a decade away? Has anything surprised you about the process?

James, bassist of Highroad No. 28:

Surreal, man! I’m the newest member of the band, so I joined during their “hibernation period.” Being in the studio now, helping shape the sound for 2025, has been amazing. I wasn’t expecting to be so involved in helping push things forward. It’s been a really exciting process.

The Will to Endure marks your first full-length album since 2008. Can you take us into the heart of this record—what does it represent for the band at this point in your journey?

This album feels like a reckoning and a resurrection. The Will to Endure ties everything together—the ups, the downs, the hibernation period, and all the doubts. For me, it’s about paying respect to the past but not letting it hold us back. It’s saying, “We’re still here, and we’ve got something to say.”

Highroad No. 28 has always been known for balancing heaviness with emotional depth. How has that balance evolved on this new album?

The balance is still there, but it feels deeper now. The heaviness isn’t just in the riffs or distortion; it’s in the themes and the melodies. It’s more mature—real, lived-in, and without melodrama. We’re not just throwing stuff out there. It’s authentic.

How different did the writing and recording process feel this time around compared to Stumbling to Divinity or Unsteady and Steady State?

I wasn’t part of the band for those albums, but I can tell you Andrew, the main songwriter, kept a similar process. He’d record all the instruments as demos, then send them to me and the drummer. From there, we’d rehearse, tweak, and get it tight. This time, we’re re-recording some tracks from Stumbling to Divinity, and I also wrote one of the songs.

There’s a 17-year gap between albums. Was there ever a moment you thought this chapter might not reopen? What pulled the band back together?

Not for Andrew. There was always this unspoken feeling that Highroad No. 28 wasn’t done—just dormant. One jam session brought it all back. The sound came together again, and that’s when I joined in.

You’re rehearsing for your first live shows in over 13 years. What kind of energy are you aiming to bring back to the stage, and how are rehearsals shaping that vision?

We want it to feel urgent—like these songs have to be played live. It’s not about nostalgia for the sake of nostalgia. Rehearsals have been intense, emotional, and a bit joyful. There’s definitely a sense of history, but also a hunger to connect with the audience. It’s about living in the moment.

How has your perspective as a musician, and as a band, shifted over the years? What’s changed most, and what’s stayed true to your original ethos?

Since I came in a bit later, I’ve seen how grounded everyone is now. But the core thing that hasn’t changed is the commitment to meaning. Highroad No. 28 was always about more than just riffs—it was about expressing something deeper through the music. That’s still very much alive.

For fans who have followed you since the late ’90s, and for new ones discovering you now, what can they expect from The Will to Endure?

Honesty and rawness. This is a band that’s grown up but hasn’t lost its edge. For long-time fans, there will be moments that feel familiar but with a new depth. For new listeners, it’s not about revisiting the past—it’s about the now. We’re here. We’re living it.

Looking back on your earliest releases like Obscure Madness and Dynamic Introspection, what do you hear in those tracks now? Do they still feel connected to where the band is today?

I wasn’t around for those EPs, but I’d say those tracks were raw, youthful, and full of unrest. That energy is still in the band, but now we have a broader lens. It’s not just about screaming into a fucking void—we’re listening, reflecting, and responding. The essence is the same, but the sound has matured.

What’s the biggest hope or intention you have for this return—whether it’s the album, the live shows, or the legacy of Highroad No. 28?

My biggest hope is that people feel something—whether that’s catharsis, connection, or just the thrill of hearing a band put everything into a moment. If The Will to Endure helps even one person push through the tough times, then that’s the legacy. It’s all about sharing that energy and strength.

LISTEN HERE