Highroad No. 28 Reunites: New Album, New Energy, and a Return to the Stage

Formed in late 1998, Highroad No. 28 quickly established itself as a powerhouse in the Australian heavy rock scene. Their first two EPs, ‘Obscure Madness’ (1999) and ‘Dynamic Introspection’ (2002), showcased a band unafraid to explore the depths of anguish and despair—yet always infused with a relentless “never-give-in” attitude. From 2003 to 2005, the band delivered a series of live performances, culminating in the release of their debut album, ‘Unsteady and Steady State’, on December 8, 2005. Marking a musical evolution, the album incorporated more melody, effects, and colorful soundscapes while balancing moments of gleeful energy with deeply introspective lyricism. This dynamic shift did not diminish the band’s signature resilience—it only broadened their creative scope.

With an ever-growing following, Highroad No. 28 solidified their reputation throughout 2006 with relentless touring and promotion across Australia and beyond. The momentum carried into 2007 as they embarked on the pre-production process for their second album. By mid-2008, after over a year of writing and refining, ‘Stumbling to Divinity’ was released on August 14. A sonic journey through the dark and light recesses of human experience, the album embraced emotive melodies, ambient electronica, and powerful rhythms, once again reinforcing the theme of endurance against affliction.

Following the release, the band returned to the stage with a string of live performances before entering a prolonged hibernation period from 2012 to 2024. During this time, Highroad No. 28 only sporadically resurfaced, offering glimpses of their artistry through occasional releases of re-worked songs, demos and film clips.

Now, in 2025, Highroad No. 28 is poised to return stronger than ever. Rehearsing for their first live shows in well over a decade, the band is also finalizing their long-awaited third album, ‘The Will to Endure’, set for release in November 2025. As they step back into the spotlight, their journey stands as a testament to resilience, transformation, and a deep passion for music. James, the bass player of Highroad No. 28, gives us the inside story on their evolution.

Highroad No. 28 formed in 1998 and quickly became a force in the Australian heavy rock scene. What was the original vision for the band, and how has it evolved over the years?

James (Highroad No. 28): Well, these sorts of questions are better left for Andrew, who started the band, but he doesn’t want to do interviews anymore. However, I’ll do my best. Andrew was (and still is) very passionate, very focused. He originally wanted to base the band overseas. But I don’t know, he did a lot of studies here, had a girlfriend here, has family here, etc., so he stayed here in Australia. In terms of the vision, I would say it has never really evolved, it’s simply to write great music and share it as much as possible.

Your early EPs, Obscure Madness and Dynamic Introspection, had a strong emphasis on anguish and despair, yet with a “never-give-in” attitude. How did those themes shape your early identity?

James (Highroad No. 28): I didn’t play on those EPs, but I can say without a doubt that those themes are still central to the band, and they are themes I fully support. This band has an undertone of absolute strength, a refusal to concede defeat.

Unsteady and Steady State marked a shift towards more melody and colorful soundscapes. What inspired that evolution in your sound?

James (Highroad No. 28): I think it was just a process of getting older, being more open to new sounds, trying to translate emotions into music.

Stumbling to Divinity embraced ambient electronica and emotive melodies. How did incorporating those elements change the band’s creative approach?

James (Highroad No. 28): Well, that was when Andrew started doing a lot of stuff at his own house. And that changed the creative approach a bit. Instead of demoing songs on cassette tapes or CDs or whatever, the demos were all done with programming. So, the keys and electronic elements (loops, synths, pads etc.) came first, then Andrew would play all the instruments, and then give the other members (at the time) the final demo. This approach has pretty much continued with our upcoming release, “The Will to Endure”, although there has been more emphasis on time in the rehearsal room.

You had a solid run through the 2000s, but then came the long hiatus from 2012 to 2024. What led to that break, and what brought you back together?

James (Highroad No. 28): So, over the years Andrew had quite a few line-up changes. The “Stumbling to Divinity” line-up dissolved, and Andrew was busy with other projects in his life and was also playing drums in quite a few bands. I joined the band during the hiatus period and was also playing in another band back then. I wanted to get things back on track with Highroad No. 28 as soon as possible once I joined. So, we rehearsed some of the older stuff, found our drummer, and the rest is history.

Even during the hiatus, you occasionally released re-worked songs, demos, and film clips. Was that a way of keeping the band’s spirit alive?

James (Highroad No. 28): Absolutely. That was really important. Even though the band wasn’t fully active, the spirit of the band had to be kept alive, and the fans needed something to connect with.

Now that Highroad No. 28 is back in action, how does it feel to be rehearsing again after such a long break?

James (Highroad No. 28): It feels fucking awesome, man. There is so much energy, and all the songs sound great. I have put my own spin on the bass lines, and I feel they really accentuate the music. We are being very anal about everything, making sure every song sounds perfect.

The title The Will to Endure suggests themes of perseverance. What inspired this title, and how does it reflect the band’s journey?

James (Highroad No. 28): Again, that is Andrew’s idea, he made the title well over a decade ago and was intending to bring the album out years ago, but life got in the way. But I am totally on board with his title and lyrics, man. “Suffering is obviously universal; we can thus all relate to it. Some people certainly suffer more than others, some less so. But can we endure it? Can we push through? That’s the test of character, man.”

Can you give us an overview of the album? How many tracks will it have, and what can fans expect in terms of sound?

James (Highroad No. 28): It is going to be fucking awesome. We have 12 tracks at the moment but will be most likely adding 3 more. I wrote 2 tracks for the album. Some tracks are re-worked versions of tracks from the older albums. The sound is really diverse, everything is in it- heaviness, melody, electronica, massive melodic pulls. The production is going to be over-the-top.

How would you compare the new album to your past releases? Are there any major stylistic changes or new influences at play?

James (Highroad No. 28): There are stylistic changes, but you will hear them when you hear them. All I can say is the production on “The Will to Endure” is going to outclass all the other releases.

What was the songwriting process like for The Will to Endure? Did the long hiatus influence how you approached writing this time around?

James (Highroad No. 28): No. It was pretty similar to “Stumbling for Divinity”. Andrew demoed everything at home, but once he gave it to me and the drummer, we all shaped the songs together in the studio. We worked out the dynamics, changed up some sections, and made sure everything had the right energy. With my two songs, there were no home demos as such—we built them from the ground up in the rehearsal studio, really pushing each other creatively.

Were there any particular lyrical themes or concepts that emerged while creating the album?

James (Highroad No. 28): I didn’t write the lyrics, Andrew did. Sometimes they’re about his standout experiences from 2009-2024, sometimes they are more general. All of them, however, have that Highroad No. 28 flavor of resilience and strength.

What was the most challenging part of making this album, and what was the most rewarding?

James (Highroad No. 28): The most challenging was waiting on the demos, The most rewarding was the rehearsing.

Highroad No. 28 has always blended heavy rock with electronica. Does The Will to Endure continue in that vein, or does it explore new territory?

James (Highroad No. 28): That’s not true. The first two EPs had almost no electronic elements. The electronica side of things started with “Unsteady and Steady State” and became prominent in “Stumbling to Divinity”. “The Will to Endure” continues with electronica, but the instrumentation is more prominent.

Who were the primary songwriters for this album, and did you have any outside collaborations?

James (Highroad No. 28): Andrew wrote almost all the music and lyrics. But we all had a hand in shaping the final sound. I wrote the music for two tracks, and as a band, we refined everything, adjusting bass lines, tweaking drum parts, and making sure each song had the right feel. It was a collaborative effort.

Beyond the music, are there any unique visual or conceptual elements tied to this album, such as album artwork or accompanying film clips?

James (Highroad No. 28): There will be. Stay tuned!

Finally, as you prepare for your first live shows in over a decade, how does it feel knowing that you’ll soon be sharing The Will to Endure with your audience?

James (Highroad No. 28): It feels phenomenal. For me, playing live is what it is all about, where you can really share energy. I have always loved playing live. “The Will to Endure” is going to kill, man!