Artists, bands, labels, managers, songwriters….listen up, pay attention and understand - this is how it’s done.
H.E.A.T have thrown off the experimentations of Into The Great Unknown (which I still think was great in its own way), ditched long-time producer Tobias Lindell and gone all in-house for their remarkable 6th album.
The result is H.E.A.T ‘II’, an album that doesn’t just politely knock on your door, rather it sees the band roll up in a 49-ton bulldozer, run over your lawn, crash through the door and bulldoze right through your house and out the other side.
This is a no holes barred, take no prisoners, earth shattering slice of classic melodic hard rock, where every single element is simply perfect. And every element helps make the other aspects of the album sound even better.
Crash drums like an absolute madman, his playing not only more powerful and bombastic than ever, but it’s also more technical and truly ear shattering.
Dave shreds harder and faster than ever before, making this the band’s heaviest album to date. Some of the guitar solos are mind-blowing.
Jona brings an equal dose of keyboards, helping balance the aggression with melody and adding several extra layers of ear candy.
Jimmy takes on his role with his usual dominant presence, grooving right alongside Crash as Scandinavia’s tightest rhythm section.
And what can I say about Erik? We already know he’s an alien from a galaxy far far away, where freakish lung capacity and megaphone vocals are commonplace, but here on earth he stands alone as the finest rock vocalist anywhere. And here he screams, wails, harmonizes and produces angelic tones that every other singer should strive for.
It’s simply a stunning performance by Erik and the whole band.
Additional credit must go to the guys for the production and mix. If anything, it is even better than ever, they clearly learned a lot from their time in the studio and this record reflects that. Absolutely flawless.
4 songs have been previewed in full, each one giving a solid indication of the rest of the album. There’s 11 ass-kicking tracks, the only ballad being Nothing To Say – a ballad so good it also kicks your ass. 11 tracks and 11 different vibes. Its very cool. It’s edgy, it’s menacing, it’s anthemic and melodic and it’s fresh.
Of my observations on the album, it is worth noting that the songs all that have influences from the past, but also strike a clear new path forward.
The guys have used some different chorus styles and structures in places and while some of the choruses may not match the anthemic heights of Living On The Run or Point Of No Return, the songs actually deliver the knockout hooks in the verse or post-chorus bridge. It makes for a really interesting learning curve for the album, as the chorus is normally the most obvious point of familiarity when first getting to know any record.
Highlights are almost impossible to spotlight as not matter what song you play last is the one stuck in your head afterwards.
I do have a particular love for the hard edged fast moving Dangerous Ground; the classic Heat sound of Come Clean; the menacing We Are Gods and its brilliant post-chorus hook; the punchy multi-hook Adrenaline (with a nod to Eclipse’sRunaway in the chorus) and Heaven Must Have Won An Angel, which has a strong Brother Firetribe vibe to it. But that said, I now feel mean for not mentioning other songs. They’re all brilliant.
This review is way longer than it needed to be. We’ll cut to the bottom line.
It’s perfect. The easiest 100 I’ve ever given. Take a bow guys.
H.E.A.T announces release of a brand new album, titled “H.E.A.T II”, early next year.
“H.E.A.T II” is the first album ever to be produced entirely by the band with Jona Tee and Dave Dalone as producers. ”This is how we would sound if we made a debut album 2019, hence the title.”
First out is the brand new single ”One by One” with an animated video to go with it, release September 27th, followed by the anthem ”RISE” (release later this fall).
”One by One is about enlightening people and showing an alternative path to life. A road less travelled, if you will.” - H.E.A.T
“LIVE AT SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL” OUT ON JULY 26th, 2019 ON earMUSIC
If there is one hard rock band you need to see live, H.E.A.T should make the top of your list.
Singer Erik Grönwall’s striking charisma paired with the powerful energy created by the band makes every H.E.A.T concert an extraordinary experience. This was also true for the performance at Sweden Rock festival on June 7th, 2018 which followed their highly acclaimed studio album “Into The Great Unknown” (2017) (which Classic Rock UK praised as “the most complete album of their career”).
Their second ever live recording – and for the first time on video – includes all of the band’s remarkable hymns such as “Living On The Run”, “A Shot At Redemption” or “Bastard Of Society”. Every song from this setlist is as lively and intoxicating as the next, making this a memorable show that every rock music fan will enjoy.
Or as H.E.A.T themselves put it:
”We heard the call and answered. Fire and Hard Rock in the night.
For our entire career people have been going on about us making a ’DVD/Blu-ray’ and we can finally reveal that we will be releasing ’Live At Sweden Rock Festival’. For those of you who have yet to see us live, this is as close as it gets.
So go out and roll around in the garden, get an uneven tan, have 1-20 beers and kick back in your couch for the ultimate festival experience.
Happy watching!”
“Live At Sweden Rock Festival” will be released on July 26th, 2019 on earMUSIC as CD+BD Digipak and Digital.
PRE-ORDER NOW - EARLY DIGITAL AUDIO DELIVERY AHEAD OF CD SHIPPING APRIL 25
CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD - Struck By Lightning ($15 + $5 worldwide shipping)
MRR APRIL RELEASE DEAL -
CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD + STONELAKE ($30 + $5 worldwide shipping)
Swedish rockers Captain Black Beard have signed with Melodic Rock Records for the release of their new studio album ‘Struck By Lightning’, coming worldwide April 25.
The first single and video from the album “All The Pain”, is out now, with the new video 'Dead End Street' making it's debut now:
The new album sees a switch in musical direction for the band, unleashing a wave of powerful new anthemic, pure melodic rock songs.
“It’s an honor to work with such enthusiastic champions of our genre.” says bassist Robert Majd.
In the summer of 2017 Captain Black Beard entered the studio to write a new chapter in the bands history. Robert Majd and Christian Ek along with new lead singer Liv Hansson as well as producer Jona Tee (keyboardist in H.E.A.T) pretty much reinvented the band’s sound.
The album that was recorded is called ‘Struck By Lightning’ and features a fresh dose of high energy melodic rock. From the instant catchiness of the opening track “All The Pain” to the heavy closing of “Straight Out Of Hell”, the band combines their AOR influences with their hard rock roots.
“This is a tremendous album and I’m really excited for the guys,” states MRR owner Andrew McNeice. “They’ve created a great new sound that brings together everything I love about music – killer songs, big production and hooks and harmonies everywhere. This album is going to put the guys on the map.”
Captain Black Beard was formed in 2009. Their self-titled debut album was named one of the "Albums Of The Year" by legendary journalist Geoff Barton of Classic Rock. The follow-up "Before Plastic" featured guest appearances by Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad) and Mats Karlsson (220 Volt). In 2016 the band released "It's a Mouthful" and toured with Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Deep Purple), Robin Beck, House Of Lords and performed at the festival Hard Rock Hell AOR for the second time in their career.
Swedish rockers Captain Black Beard signs with Melodic Rock Records
Swedish rockers Captain Black Beard have signed with Melodic Rock Records for the release of their new studio album ‘Struck By Lightning’, coming worldwide April 25.
The first single and video from the album “All The Pain”, will debut this Friday (March 9).
The new album sees a switch in musical direction for the band, unleashing a wave of powerful new anthemic, pure melodic rock songs.
“It’s an honor to work with such enthusiastic champions of our genre.” says bassist Robert Majd.
In the summer of 2017 Captain Black Beard entered the studio to write a new chapter in the bands history. Robert Majd and Christian Ek along with new lead singer Liv Hansson as well as producer Jona Tee (keyboardist in H.E.A.T) pretty much reinvented the band’s sound.
The album that was recorded is called ‘Struck By Lightning’ and features a fresh dose of high energy melodic rock. From the instant catchiness of the opening track “All The Pain” to the heavy closing of “Straight Out Of Hell”, the band combines their AOR influences with their hard rock roots.
“This is a tremendous album and I’m really excited for the guys,” states MRR owner Andrew McNeice. “They’ve created a great new sound that brings together everything I love about music – killer songs, big production and hooks and harmonies everywhere. This album is going to put the guys on the map.”
Captain Black Beard was formed in 2009. Their self-titled debut album was named one of the "Albums Of The Year" by legendary journalist Geoff Barton of Classic Rock. The follow-up "Before Plastic" featured guest appearances by Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad) and Mats Karlsson (220 Volt). In 2016 the band released "It's a Mouthful" and toured with Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen, Deep Purple), Robin Beck, House Of Lords and performed at the festival Hard Rock Hell AOR for the second time in their career.
A wonderful year for music. One of the best. Pretty easy to pick my favourites and even though I haven’t had time to review a good many of these, they have all been in high rotation over the last 12 months. And yes, I will still run through some Reviews In Brief and add as many of these titles to the site. Past my Top 10, the rest were all very hard to put in order – some outstanding titles here, with quality music for all tastes released in 2017.
If you haven’t heard some of these titles, don’t waste another minute, check them out!
01. Harem Scarem – United
02. Eclipse – Monumentum
03. One Desire – One Desire
04. H.E.A.T – Into The Great Unknown
05. Threshold – Legend Of The Shires
06. Night Ranger – Don’t Let Up
07. Heaven & Earth – Hard To Kill
08. Degreed – Degreed
09. [TIE] Mr. Big – Defying Gravity
Tokyo Motor Fist - Tokyo Motor Fist
Kryptonite - Kryptonite
10. Sons Of Apollo – Psychotic Symphony
11. Wayward Sons – Ghosts Of Yet To Come
12. Black Country Communion – BCCIV
13. Night Flight Orchestra – Amber Galactic
14. Brother Firetribe – Sunbound
15. Jorn – Life On Death Road
16. All 4 1 – All 4 1
17. Art Nation – Liberation
18. Code Red – Incendiary
19. Houston – III
20. Riverdogs – California
21. Styx – The Mission
22. Inglorious – II
23. Wildness – Wildness
24. Lionville – World Of Fools
25. [TIE] Newman – Arial
Pick Cream 69 - Headstrong
26. Jeff Scott Soto – Retribution
27. Pride Of Lions – Fearless
28. Ten – Gothica
29. Revolution Saints – Light In The Dark
30. Tony Mills – Streets Of Chance
31. ColdSpell – A New World Arise
32. Midnite City – Midnite City
33. Cheap Trick – We’re All Alright
34. Crazy Lixx – Ruff Justice
35. The Radio Sun – Unstoppable
36. Santa Cruz – Bad Blood Rising
37. Dirty White Boy – Down And Dirty
38. Deep Purple – Infinite
39. Steve Walsh – Black Butterfly
40. Thunder – Rip It Up
41. Kee Of Hearts – Kee Of Hearts
42. Unruly Child – Can’t Go Home
43. Eden’s Curse – Eden’s Curse Revisited
44. Tales From The Porn – H.M.M.V
45. Jim Jidhed – Push On Through
46. Raintimes – Raintimes
47. Age Of Reflection – In The Heat Of The Night
48. Phantom 5 – Play To Win
49. Martina Edoff – We Will Align
50. Bonfire – Byte The Bullet
Song Of The Year
Threshold – Small Dark Lines
Harem Scarem – Here Today Gone Tomorrow
One Desire – Turn Back Time
H.E.A.T – Redefined
Revolution Saints – I Wouldn’t Change A Thing
Harem Scarem – Heaven And Earth
Eclipse – Vertigo
Eclipse – Never Look Back
H.E.A.T – Into The Great Unknown
Threshold – Stars & Satellites
Heaven & Earth – Hard To Kill
Heaven & Earth – The Game Has Changed
One Desire – Hurt
Sons Of Apollo – Coming Home
Sons Of Apollo – Signs Of The Times
Night Ranger – Somehow Someway
Night Ranger – Say What You Want
Mr. Big – Mean To Me
Mr. Big – Defying Gravity
Night Flight Orchestra – Jennie
Night Flight Orchestra – Something Mysterious
Unruly Child – The Only One
Pride Of Lions – All I See Is You
Riverdogs - The Revolution Starts Tonight
MelodicRock Records 2017 Releases
A special mention for the MRR releases of 2017. I would personally rank them all in the Top 50, but in an attempt to remain unbiased, I’ve left them out. But I am really proud of what the label has managed to achieve this year, it’s been MRR’s biggest year for number of releases, plus for sales in total and for individual titles setting sales records.
So what this means – I’ll have to make 2018 even bigger and better and so far it’s looking just that way! Stay tuned for news soon!
A huge HUGE thanks to the artists for believing in MRR and making this small label your home.
Another big thanks to all the journos, media outlets and magazines that featured MRR releases during the year.
And finally a big BIG thank you to all the stores and distribution outlets that also supported MRR and did such a great job getting these out there to fans.
To every single person that bought one or all of the releases this year – you guys ROCK!
Johnny Lima – Johnny Lima / Made In California (Reissues w/Bonus Tracks)
Shotgun Symphony – The Last Symphony (Reissues w/Unreleased)
Don Barnes – Ride The Storm (Previously Unreleased)
Arti Tisi Trilogy – New York City, Back Again & The Reeperbahn (All Previously Unreleased)
Jimmy Davis & Junction – Kick The Wall (Deluxe Edition)(Reissue w/Bonus Live Disc)
Jimmy Davis & Junction – Going The Distance (Previously Unreleased)
Rian – Out Of The Darkness (Debut Album)
Jan Akesson's Shadow Rain – Ascension (Debut Solo Album)
Scherer / Batten – Battlezone (Featuring Songs by Jim Peterik)
H.E.A.T - one of the very best bands in the world are back in action after a well deserved break. I knew this album was going to be a left turn, as just after the release of Tearing Down The Walls, Jona Tee commented to me that the band would ‘do something a little different’ next time.
Into The Great Unknown is that ‘next time’ and yes, it is different. But it’s also a bloody fantastic slice of modern melodic rock.
The band has delivered two amazing albums in one style, another two classics (if you ask me) with Erik Gronwall fronting the band and now it’s on to a new phase with guitarist Dave Dalone coming back to replace Eric Rivers.
Into The Great Unknown is different on a couple of fronts. It freely uses production effects and a modern production style, plus it also dares to innovate on the songwriting side.
There’s more keyboards on this album than any of the 4 previous, with Jona using a lot of different tricks throughout the album.
The album is also laid out in the sometimes confronting rocker/mellow/rocker/mellow sequence.
Some fans are going to over-react to the updated sound here. Sometimes I think reading many comments can inadvertently effect your own opinion. I’ve read many – some love this, some love parts of the album, others are ranking it the weakest of the band’s output thus far.
But realistically it is none of the above. Those type of comments have followed each of the band’s releases. Why? Because they are that good! They evoke passion among their fans that any band would envy and I don’t know many bands out there today that can boast 5 albums of the quality that H.E.A.T has delivered.
What Into The Great Unknown is for H.E.A.T is just another stunning slice of music that challenges the listener and breaks new commercial ground for a band that hasn’t stood still from Day 1.
If you want your favourites to continually repeat the formula, you know where you can find those types of artists.
Into The Great Unknown should be used as a benchmark in modern melodic rock production. And the songwriting is every bit as good to match. You may not pick these songs as favourites, but there’s no denying the quality. The album has been on high rotation with me for well over 2 months now. And personally speaking, it may not equal the playback longevity of Address The Nation and Tearing Down The Walls, but it isn’t far off and I’m not close to being tired of it yet.
So many layers of vocals, instrumentation and a lot of orchestration behind the main sounds.
The rockers – Bastard Of Society and Shit City are in your face, high octane, adrenaline filled stadium blasters, while Best of The Broken builds like a beast, breaking into a classic Heat chorus.
The keyboard infused Blind Leads The Blind has to be one of the band’s best flat out heavy rockers, while the album closes with the double dose of intelligent songwriting with Do You Want It, featuring some falsetto vocals that just sound so fitting, yet original and the epic 7 minute classic Heat rocker Into The Great Unknown. Fabulous harmonies and performances.
The mellow/melodic tracks – Redefined is magnificent. Think Mr. Big’s Take Cover – one of my favourite songs – this has the same quality and passion and the vocals are quite something.
Time On Our Side made waves for being the first single and possibly the most outside the box track on the album. I would not have released this as the album’s first marker. But it is stunning nevertheless. The chorus is monstrous and it’s so cool to hear a “ballad” rock along as the pace this does.
Eye Of The Storm is simply one of the best ballads I’ve heard in a decade. It’s just beyond huge. And the impassioned We Rule is the band’s ode to Queen’s Show Must Go On meets We Are The Champions – and its every bit as big. Erik Gronwall is the vocalist of the decade.
The Japanese bonus track Free Your Inner Miley is a balls to the wall old-school double time hard rocker with a huge groove and another memorable hook and harmony. Well worth tracking down. The band recorded 14 tracks for this album overall, so there’s 3 more to come at some point.
I wanted to keep this brief, but when an album this big and important comes along, it’s vital to capture all necessary thoughts. So in summary – freeking amazing production (and those streaming or MP3-ing are missing out BIG time). Musically it is bold, brave and takes necessary risks to broaden the fanbase and remain fresh. It’s simply another amazing piece of art that if released under a new band name would be hailed as the “next Heat”!
Very proud of the guys and everyone in the Heat camp. This is wonderful.
THE NEW ALBUM “INTO THE GREAT UNKNOWN” IS RELEASED ON FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER
Celebrated Swedish rock band H.E.A.T premiere the music video for their new single “Eye Of The Storm” to dovetail the release of their long awaited new album "Into The Great Unknown" on Friday 22nd September 2017 viaearMUSIC.
H.E.A.T start the European leg of their tour in Copenhagen on Monday 30th October and the band will play their first show in the UK in Wolverhampton on Friday 17th November.
After one and a half years of intense song-writing, with guitarist DaveDalone (aka Sky Davis) back in the mix, the band went on a questionable trip to record an album in Thailand, once again with Swedish Grammy award-winning producer Tobias Lindell. With 10 top songs in their cannon, H.E.A.T entered the heavenly Karma Sound studios in the outskirts of Bangkok to record what would become the fifth studio album. Once again the band continue the musical landscape with an innovative, highly explosive and refreshing melodic rock sound and an unforgettable collection of fantastic new songs.
"Into The Great Unknown" is the follow-up to 2014’s critically acclaimed "Tearing Down The Walls". 2012’s successful "Address The Nation" album was praised worldwide as one of the best albums of the year, and consolidated the H.E.A.T’s growing reputation as the new leading band in hard edged melodic rock. "Into The Great Unknown" is a rock and roll journey into the great unknown. The album delivers everything H.E.A.T is loved for - frontman Erik Grönwall’s incredible vocal talent and the band’s traditional approach to melodic rock.
In 2009, H.E.A.T had a huge hit in Scandinavia with the song "1000 Miles". That same year the band’s second album "Freedom Rock" was nominated as one of the Top 50 albums in 2010 by Classic Rock magazine UK. Since then, they’ve toured all over the world, blowing audiences away with their outstanding live concerts.
Watch “Eye Of The Storm”:
H.E.A.T Guitar: Sky Davis (aka Dave Dalone)
Bass: Jimmy Jay
Keyboard: Jona Tee
Drums & Percussion: Crash
Vocals: Erik Grönwall
To dovetail the release of their fifth studio album, H.E.A.T will tour the UK and Europe throughout November. The celebrated Swedish rock band will release their long awaited new album "Into The Great Unknown" on Friday 22nd September 2017 via earMUSIC.
The European leg of the tour will start in Copenhagen on Monday 30th October and the band will play their first show in the UK in Wolverhampton on Friday 17th November.
After one and a half years of intense song-writing, with guitarist Dave Dalone (aka Sky Davis) back in the mix, the band went on a questionable trip to record an album in Thailand, once again with Swedish Grammy award-winning producer Tobias Lindell. With 10 top songs in their cannon, H.E.A.T entered the heavenly Karma Sound studios in the outskirts of Bangkok to record what would become the fifth studio album. Once again the band continue the musical landscape with an innovative, highly explosive and refreshing melodic rock sound and an unforgettable collection of fantastic new songs.
"Into The Great Unknown" is the follow-up to 2014’s critically acclaimed "Tearing Down The Walls". 2012’s successful "Address The Nation" album was praised worldwide as one of the best albums of the year, and consolidated the H.E.A.T’s growing reputation as the new leading band in hard edged melodic rock. "Into The Great Unknown" is a rock and roll journey into the great unknown. The album delivers everything H.E.A.T is loved for - frontman Erik Grönwall’s incredible vocal talent and the band’s traditional approach to melodic rock.
In 2009, H.E.A.T had a huge hit in Scandinavia with the song "1000 Miles". That same year the band’s second album "Freedom Rock" was nominated as one of the Top 50 albums in 2010 by Classic Rock magazine UK. Since then, they’ve toured all over the world, blowing audiences away with their outstanding live concerts.
