The departure of Erik Gronwall sees the return of Kenny Leckremo to the fold on vocal duties and also further enforces a return to classic, anthemic, melodic rock that H.E.A.T is so good at.
Having seen the band at Steelhouse recently where several tracks from the album were aired and the band were absolutely on fire, I know this was going to be an epic release.
We kick off with `Back To The Rhythm’ where fast guitar arpeggios and strong riffs sit side by side with soaring keyboards and Leckremo’ s deep, clear and powerful voice delivers the lyrics superbly. `Nationwide’ is a faster, heavy rock opus that has Dave Dalone riffing wildly. This is one catchy earworm!
`Tainted Blood’ unleashes a heavy bassline thud and pounding drumbeat that means business as Leckremo screams his heart out. This man’s vocal range is incredible. `Hollywood’ brings in wah fuelled guitars and more melodies than you can shake a stick at. Elements of Europe and Guns n Roses come to the fore here.
`Harder To Breathe’ carries a choral “Oooo” to get things started on this slower track which brings with it hooks galore. `Not 4Sale’ raise the pace again as melodic guitar parts merge with rousing keyboards ahead of the band’s trademark big chorus sound.
We reach `One Of Us’, a heavy, piano-led ballad that is musically intense but filled with emotion. There is an undeniable groove present on `Hold Your Fire’ and again has the feel of early Europe with more superb playing coming from Dalone. Wait the ending scream!
`Paramount’ has a regal, almost military march sound ahead of the main part of the track, a more symphonic vocal delivery is also in evidence here. H.E.A.T move off course with `Demon Eyes’ as they steer towards a sound that so easily could be Rainbow or even Deep Purple, especially with Dalone’s amazing fretboard solos. It may not be what we are used to but it’s damn good!
We close with `Wings Of An Aeroplane’ as Leckremo’ s voice soars above the band which is pushing out pure heavy melodic rock goodness.
As mentioned before, H.E.A.T really is at the top of their game right now and this album illustrates that perfectly. Every track is a winner, with no fillers whatsoever. The band as a whole sound so tight and Kenny Leckremo has fitted back in as if the decade or so in between had never existed. H.E.A.T are quite simply red hot. Go get burnt and love it!!
Review: Paul Sabin
Pre-order “Force Majeure” here: https://Heat.lnk.to/
1. BACK TO THE RYTHM
2. NATIONWIDE
3. TAINTED BLOOD
4. HOLLYWOOD
5. HARDER TO BREATHE
6. NOT FOR SALE
7. ONE OF US
8. HOLD YOUR FIRE
9. PARAMOUNT
10. DEMON EYES
11. WINGS OF AN AEROPLANE
From 9th April, the band will go on a big Scandinavian tour followed by an EU tour throughout May and will also have the first songs from the album in their luggage.
Since the band’s early days, starting from their song “1000 miles” – a huge hit in their Scandinavian home in 2009, media worldwide has been praising every one of the band’s albums as one of the best rock albums in the respective years.
Kenny Leckremo – Lead Vocals
Dave Dalone – Guitars
Jona Tee – Keyboards, Organ
Jimmy Jay – Bass
Don Crash – Drums
Leeds, Warehouse
Friday 14 October 2022Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill
Saturday 15 October 2022Swansea, Patti Pavilion
Sunday 16 October 2022
Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
Monday 17 October 2022
London, Electric Brixton
Tuesday 18 October 2022