Artist: H.E.A.T.
Title: Freedom Rock
Type: Album
Label: Ear Music/Edel

These Swedish melodic rockers have had much acclaim in their native land. Taking their tunes to high positions on playlists and to a Eurovision entry, these early twenty-something’s have the world at their feet and intend have the rest of the world feel the H.E.A.T. Vocally, Kenny Lackremo has a fantastic voice and the song arrangements are catchy and poppy as hell. ‘Beg Beg Beg’ has me thinking of Police Academy movies and the 1980’s in general, vibrant and full of energy and life, its not a heavy tune, it’s a bloody happy one though. The song arrangements are classic melody driven anthems, most of the tracks take this form. Musically, it has all the hallmarks of “heard it before”, but I keep on going back to the vocals, these are confident and sound a lot older than what young Kenny actually is. ‘Black Night’ feature’s EdGuy’s Tobias Sammet on vocals, I am reminded of Magnum, Journey and Danger Danger with a bit of American swagger about it all, but no one say that the solo is not good, its ripping whilst following and complementary to the arrangement to the max. ‘I Can’t Look the Other Way’ follows the successful formula of the previous tunes; ‘Who Will Stop the Rain’ provides a perfect radio ballad, but perhaps not in this decade. I cannot pick any tune that does not float my boat, this works well. ‘We’re Gonna Make It’ trust me, this band will and deservingly so.

Fans of the lighter side of rock will truly enjoy this and this is a band to watch out for (there are a few UK shows booked in late May). But as for metal fans, you won’t like this, unless you like double cheese on your platter of sacrificial lamb. An anthem driven full of fun release, strong arrangements and mature song arrangements make this a very strong “hot” album release.

http://www.heatsweden.com
http://www.ear-music.net