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Artist: Heavens Basement |
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Anyone remember a band
called Hurricane Party? Roadstar, maybe? Well, Heavens Basement just
happen to be these bands now in its third incarnation. They first
changed their name after the hurricane disaster in America made them
think that their name was no longer appropriate, so they became Roadstar
after a song of theirs. After the release of their second album ‘Grand
Hotel’ they broke up and walked away from their producer in the
process. With the release of this
album, under their new name Heavens Basement, it’s a case of starting
again from scratch but on evidence of the album, they shouldn’t be
there for much longer. If you like your music hard and loud, then your
gonna love this album straight from the first track ‘Executioner’s
Day’, but don’t be fooled by the quiet intro and turn the volume up,
or you’ll be deafened by the raunchy rock ‘n’ roll that floods
from the speakers. Its like the late 80’s revisited, all big guitar
riffs and the intense drumming of Chris Rivers that stand out here, and
when ‘Tear your heart out’ begins there’s a definite case of
‘where have I heard that before, about it. The penny drops about
halfway through, as there’s a familiarity of ‘Nightrain’ (GNR)
seeping through in parts. Give it a listen and see what I mean. Bad boy rock at its best
comes along on ‘Fear of getting off’, vocalist Rich Hervanz sounding
like he really means business, the growl sounding like his vocals are
being dragged over a rasp, then soft and gentle at a whim, proving
he’s one of the best singers around at the moment in one of the best
British rock bands at the moment, guaranteed. Its all bought down a peg
or two with ‘Such is life’, a mid tempo almost ballad-like song that
seems to be a favourite on the live circuit judging but the way it went
down at Newcastle City Hall when they supported Thunder in November last
year. The ‘whoa-whoa ‘whoa chanting is the clincher here, arms aloft
in the crowd helping it along and no doubt the one song on the CD that
will be skipped back to time and time again. The crash of cymbals,
guitar riff and scream launches things into ‘Reign on my parade’,
going at two speeds, fast and hold on tight, a head- bangers dream
track, with all the instruments played at a pace you’d think was
incapable if you are just starting out yourself. It just goes to show
how good this band is and how much they can probably better themselves
with the right backing which they deserve. ‘Mirrors’ is very
reminiscent of early 90’s Def Leppard, the choppy guitars and solos
here and there, and the vocal harmonies that said band heavily rely on
doing the song justice, whereas ‘I’ll never write a love song’
never sounding as true, with its country/rock edge that could set a
scene of a half bottle of J.D. and a Stetson sitting on a lone table,
the lyrics somewhat straight to the point, e.g. ‘Take a piece of me,
its easy’ Hmm… definitely Not a love song then, Rich?! The final track hammers
into life with a thumping countdown along with the drums and settles
into another fast paced rocker that won’t disappoint new and old fans
alike. With a band like Heavens
Basement and all the pride and passion they put into their work, live
and in the studio, its beyond me how they haven’t been signed yet and
it must be very frustrating for them, so after all the hot air Classic
Rock have spouted about them over the last 3 years or so, why don’t
they put their money where their mouth is and sign them to their
Powerage label if they think they’re that good? You know it makes
sense surely? Good Luck lads. Review
by: Bob |
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| Tracklisting:
1. Executioners Day
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All content copyright of The Mayfair Mall Zine unless otherwise stated. |
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