Vorhex Angel 
The sad news of Munehiro Narita’s passing has sent me, not only back to the High Rise catalog for comfort, but to a record from last year that might keep the candle burning. If ever there were heirs to the maelstrom of High Rise, Vorhex Angel would be at the top of the list. The band brings together members of JEFF The Brotherhood and Silver Synthetic into an exhaust cloud of motor oil and mayhem. The group released a few live glimmers over the past year, but the end of 2025 brought out their debut proper. Heavenly drinks from the font of fuzz and freakout. The record hurtles the listener though layers of the Earth’s crust, a sonic drill that drags the soul into layer upon layer of debris. With the same motorcycle fusion that fed Mainliner, Les Rallizes Dénudés, and pre-High Rise rippers Psychedelic Speed Freaks, the record lands like a delightful assault on the senses.
The album opens with the ear-splitting screech of the title track, and while it tempers the tones a little from there on out, the sentiments remain the same. Aural exfoliation seems to be the goal, and the band are good at what they’re going for. Over a storm of drums, the guitars grind with whirring hunger. Every riff, every note is a laceration that seeks a surface to slice. The vocals are submerged into the vortex, a cry from beyond that acts as a beacon the the bluster. As the record reclines into its last moments, the closer “Lemon Tree” offers the first respite from the fury, feeling a bit more reminiscent of White Heaven than the more jagged edges of the PSF catalog. The band’s not big on streaming or traditional routes, which is a good position to have in these times. It’s available digitally through Nina. Store the headphones because this one needs the big speakers.