Track By Tracks: Ian Highhill - A Hymn Among Gravestones (2026)

1. In the Eye of the Storm:

Describes what it's like to perform in front of a big audience for the first time. Or maybe it's the moment right before going on stage, the calm before the storm. You know how you get caught up in the moment and feel that rush of adrenaline? It's kind of scary, but also addictive.

2. A Hymn Among Gravestones:

The title track tells the story of a man who hears a faint voice singing a hymn as he walks past a graveyard. The voice belongs to a ghost singing at the graves of those who died in battle. When I was a child, there were still Second World War veterans among us, and you could sense the heavy burden they carried; there was darkness in their eyes. Given all the unrest and war in the world today, I have started to think about what a soldier comes home to after being broken by war. No promised glory or reward, just a hymn sung among gravestones when they die.

3. I, the Name of Greed:

'In the Name of Greed' is a bit more honest song. I have been working class my entire life. This makes you realise that the social system can exploit the average person to no end. Money is wasted on everything except the well-being of the people who keep society running.

4. The Oath Breaker:

‘The Oath Breaker’ is about betrayal in general, which is a nasty thing that causes people to be hurt. The song's about someone who betrays a brotherhood that guards a great evil imprisoned in the underworld.

5. Wild Winds:

It's the same old story: boy meets vampire girl, who drains him dry, even though he tries to fight back. He can't resist her attraction, and she takes him with her to the realm of shadows.

6. The Guardians:

I stumbled upon the history of the Sumerian King List and found it completely captivating. I loved the idea that there could be an alternative to what we learn from mainstream sources. And that the gods could perhaps actually be extraterrestrials. I seized the opportunity to write a song about it.

7. Insomnia:

I've had insomnia for years. It's also gotten worse over time. I gave up booze six years ago, which helped a bit, but I still have major sleeping problems.

8. Death Sentence:

Being sentenced to death must be the worst thing that can happen to someone. Whether it's a punishment or an illness, it must be awful. I cannot imagine how that would feel. This song is about a prisoner's final thoughts while awaiting execution.

9. Deal with the Devil:

‘Deal with the Devil’ is about young people (especially guys) who join criminal gangs to gain recognition and who sooner or later end up in a life where they always have to look over their shoulders and be on the run from the law or rival gangs.

10. King of Ashes:

The song is a straight-up reflection of the wars that are currently going on. There have been threats of nuclear weapons, which is obviously very frightening. What's the point of winning a war if you're just going to be left with ashes?