After three albums of storming melodic rock that would have made them megastars a few decades ago, it's time for these rocket-fuelled Swedes to translate success in their homeland to the global stage. With this outstanding new record under their belts, they've every chance of doing just that.
H.E.A.T's previous album - 2012’s Address The Nation' - was an anthemic tour de force driven by the astonishing vocals of debutant singer Erik Gronwall. Whereas previous incumbent Kenny Leckremo had a cheesier AOR delivery, the power, control and versatility in Gronwall’s rasp brought a contemporary flavour capable of propelling them to the big leagues.
'Tearing Down The Walls' maintains its predecessor's quality and builds on it in impressive fashion, bringing fresh twists and turns without losing the blistering energy and ability to deliver massive choruses.
This evolution is best heard on Mannequin Show and Emergency. The former’s dark crunch features a melancholy melodic hook and whistling synthesiser effect that recalls Abba, whereas the latter breaks free of its swaggering groove and massive refrain to deliver some snazzy Dream Theater-esque syncopation.
If there was a flaw with 'Address...' it was that most tracks followed a similar formula and were too reminiscent of their heroes. On 'Tearing...' the band bring more of their own identity to the party, respectfully nodding towards their idols rather than following them too closely.
It's also interesting how their sound has toughened up and expanded, drawing parallels with Bon Jovi in their 1980s prime. If the more poppy 'Address...' was H.E.A.T's 'Slippery When Wet', this is definitely their 'New Jersey'. Like that release, it's darker, moodier and rocks harder.
Stand out track Enemy In Me epitomises that as it stacks winning hook upon winning hook and a bouncing beat before the expected pay off, which turns out to be another bridge, gives way to a defiantly rousing gang-chant chorus.
Elsewhere, Point Of No Return blasts out of the speakers without mercy, propelled by Eric Rivers’ scything guitar work and incorporating shout out backing vocals and a soaring keyboard solo. Moreover, Eye For An Eye is another ball-buster whose seething chorus unfurls like a coiled spring.
Although heavier, it's not angry, but determined and uplifting, with the air-punching We Will Never Die providing stadium-sized proof. Plus, there's still some shade with the rousing title track and A Shot At Redemption delivering more of a pop-rock melodic sheen.
Perhaps the most surprising cut is All The Nights, a sparse ballad consisting solely of a haunting piano and Gronwall's expressive vocals. It's initially jarring compared with the raucous momentum of other tracks, but its emotionally stark mood actually fits the record's tone perfectly.
Closing track Laughing At Tomorrow also reinvents H.E.A.T's approach, distilling their arena-ready template into a glorious finale with a chorus that sounds like you and your mates having a drunken, philosophical sing along down the pub.
In short, this is a non-stop thrill ride born of the past but delivered with a vitality that's undeniably present. It's difficult to contextualise the significance of an album around the time of release, but with its mainstream-crashing potential, 'Tearing Down The Walls' could be the most important melodic rock release for decades.
HEAT Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri May 16 2014 - LONDON Garage
Sat May 17 2014 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 Academy Newcastle
Sun May 18 2014 - GLASGOW Cathouse
Mon May 19 2014 - MANCHESTER Academy
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