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H.E.A.T
Force Majeure

earMUSIC (2022)
Rating: 8.5/10

After a long absence, original vocalist Kenny Leckremo is back in the fold for what is the seventh full-length release from Swedish hard rock giants H.E.A.T These guys have been rocking arenas with their big, crisp anthems for a while now and Skid Row fans will certainly be thankful that former vocalist Erik Grönwall is now in their ranks. However, having Leckremo back in H.E.A.T just adds extra shine and power to this masterly heap of melodic gloss bolstered by the dynamic riffs of Dave Dalone.

H.E.A.T made sure that their return would be a case of sudden impact as the gloriously swaggering ‘Back To The Rhythm’ comes hammering on steely percussion. However, for me it is the keyboards which really add the extra quality, especially on the driving ‘Nationwide’. But this album is awash with quality and variety.

The struttin’ ‘Hold Your Fire’ nods towards classic Europe, while ‘Hollywood’ bubbles along nicely with its simmering intro before kicking in like The Cult fused with the lesser known and sadly defunct Beautiful Creatures but with less weight.

Throughout this platter you just get soaked in crisp, clear nuances and riffs that take this into heavier realms. Those expecting subtle, placid and sugary expressions should look elsewhere because for all of its white light wonder this is a hard rockin’ album. Just check the groove of ‘Tainted Blood’ with its streetwise, cocksure strut, or the electricity of ‘Demon Eyes’ with its killer axe work and thundering drums, all circa a rapid Deep Purple.

‘Harder To Breathe’ is just symbolic of lush yet meaty AOR brilliance, again supported by the keys of Jona Tee, while ‘Wings Of An Aeroplane’ is a mid-tempo rough n’ ready powerhouse with a stunning chorus. But if you are desperately seeking a lighter shade then ‘One Of Us’ with its haunting piano should suffice and again there’s that massive chorus that rains down.

This is a quality hard rock album and I can’t be more to the point. Some may have expected a return to more subtle climes, but for me Force Majeure lives up to its title as a glinting, ascending, and above all commanding opus which stirs the soul but brings steel to the ears.

Neil Arnold

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