Page 38 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 104

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best in the entire band and stripped-down ballad ing a broader musical her and the solo guitar but
it’s a song that is sure to 'Ghost House Heart' being palette on ‘Envy’. While quickly breaks into full-on
become a live highlight. the sole song of its kind on they haven’t forgotten to in- rock monster, switching
And there is plenty more to the record. That they chose ject some rock, you’ll hear back and forth between
enjoy in the middle of the to release it as a single an array of different sounds styles in a very effective
album; 'Nothing To Say' is shows their confidence in throughout including some manner. The attitude gets
by far the most stripped- the song. This has been orchestral dabblings, elec- ramped up with pop-punk
back track on 'H.E.A.T. II'. supported by their fans as tronic and pop. Nixon deliv- ‘As If’ and the killer riffs and
The ballad is a blissful it has instantly become a ers a great vocal solo of ‘Back Off’. Fast-
showcase of Erik's talents live set standout where performance on this album; paced, upbeat, and full of
and is a spine-tingling song again Charlotte's brilliance his voice dripping with energy, ‘Reflection’ is a
H.E.A.T. of heartbreak, while at the is on full display. While the emotion, he really is cracking album.
H.E.A.T. II other end of the scale, 'We majority of the album's singing his heart out. YYYY
(EARMUSIC) Are Gods' is a foot-stomp- highlights are contained to- Having tried to walk Clare Huckett
Some places in the ing, ball-breaking anthem wards the rest of the album away from music before
world are known for certain where H.E.A.T. underline also includes some majes- being drawn back in, Fram-
things: Belgium and choco- they can do heavy, hard tic music. 'Let's Dance', in ing Hanley has certainly felt
late, France and wine, rock as well as anyone and particular, is another slice the ups and downs of life
England and fish and the cries of ‘We are gods of of melodic marvel, while within the industry. Reflect-
chips, America and the universe’ ring true be- 'Legions Of The Lost' is, at ing on this, the lyrical con-
cheeseburgers. Sweden is cause in the melodic rock times, heavy as hell to un- tent within ‘Envy’ is
perhaps best known for world that is exactly what derline the flexibility of the introspective and melan-
producing some of the they are. band and instrumental cholic. The more you listen
greatest melodic rock YYYYY piece 'Combustion' is an in- to the album, the more it
bands in the world and, Michael Coventry teresting end to the album captivates you. Released
with their latest work, where Charlotte's band- ahead of the album, the
H.E.A.T. have only mates, in particular gui- singles - ‘Puzzle Pieces’, STARMEN
strengthened that argu- tarist Timo Somers, have ‘Baggage Claim’ and WELCOME TO MY
ment. For their sixth studio their opportunity to really ‘Throwing Knives’ - have WORLD
album, 'H.E.A.T. II', they put a stamp on what is one gone down well, but these (MELODIC PASSION)
have returned to their roots of Delain's most rounded are not the only single-wor- Swedish band Star-
and their first album to be albums to date. thy tracks on this come- men formed in 2018 with
produced entirely by the YYYY back release. Other the intention of celebrating
band is quite a step away Michael Coventry standout tracks include the old heroes of rock ‘n’
from 2017’s 'Into The Great ‘Carousel’, the melodious roll, the big names of the
Unknown' as they have ‘Joke’s On Us’, the Match- 70s and 80s – Kiss,
switched back massively to box Twenty-esque ‘The Whitesnake, Def Leppard,
a hard rock sound, which, DELAIN Way Down’ and the power- etc. And that’s exactly what
by never losing their APOCALYPSE & CHILL ful ‘Counterfeit’. All in all, they do. The songs are big,
melodic magic, means the (NAPALM) ‘Envy’ contains some of the stadium-style, melodic
results are utterly fantastic. There is no denying best work Framing Hanley rockers; all exuberant
H.E.A.T. have also stuck to Dutch symphonic metal has done, period. It really is drums, powerful vocals and
some of the golden rules of stars Delain have led with great to have them back! huge riffs plus fast-fingered
structuring an album, which their best foot when it YYYY solos. Opening with a
makes all the difference. comes to their sixth studio Penny Gower screaming stadium audi-
They say you need to start album 'Apocalypse & Chill'. ence sound, ‘Dreaming’
strong but the second, and, The opening tracks 'One FRAMING HANLEY SYTERIA sets the pace and is a per-
hopefully, third song needs Second', 'We Had Every- ENVY REFLECTION fect encapsulation of
to be better and you also thing' and 'Chemical Re- (THERMAL ENTERTAIN- (SYTERIA) everything about the bands
have to end on a high. demption' are an MENT) Jax Chambers (gui- Starmen set out to honour.
'Rock Your Body' is a fine immediate reminder that In 2015, a year after re- tarist, Girlschool) and Syte- Sleazier ‘Ready To Give
opener that does as its title when it comes to this par- leasing their third album ria are back with their Me Your Love’ is downright
suggests. 'Dangerous ticular brand of rock there ‘The Sum Of Who We Are’, second album, ‘Reflection’. infectious and while the
Ground' does a stellar job are few who can match Framing Hanley an- It’s a joyful mixture of clas- sudden switch to the piano
of raising the bar and is a their talents, 'We Had nounced they were to split. sic rock, New York and pop intro and crooning of ballad
killer, rip-roaring, full-throt- Everything' being the pick It wasn’t long after that lead punk. Julia’s vocals are ‘Stay The Night’ feels a bit
tle track, but things reach of the entire album with its singer Kenneth Nixon and strong throughout and the jarring, they get back into
even greater heights with superbly melodic nature lead guitarist Ryan Belcher four-part harmonies beg to gear with the 80s-AOR
'Come Clean', which is a which adds another layer began writing together be joined in with. Opener ‘Warrior’. There’s a heavier
slice of sheer melodic rock to the wonder which Delain again. Originally calling ‘Make Some Noise’ is a turn with the grinding riffs
heaven, as is lead single provide. At the heart of this their new project Sumner protest song in the form of and soaring solos of ‘Evil’
'One By One', where the magic are the mesmerising Roots, the pair soon re- an upbeat 80s-style hard in a wonderfully OTT dra-
amazing guitar skills of talents of Charlotte Wes- alised that the more they rocker with an infectious matic style before the glori-
Dave Dalone, exceptional sels - these are on clear wrote, the more the songs rhythm and shout-along ous 70s glam metal-style
vocals of Erik Grönwall and display throughout the were becoming like Fram- chorus. ‘Goodbye World’ title track ‘Welcome To My
keyboard work of Jona Tee album, her harmonies ing Hanley songs again. focuses on the damage hu- World’ blows up your
come together in perfect adding so much to the in- Three years after the split, mans have done to the en- speakers. This is a brilliant,
harmony. Things are just strumental pieces of many Framing Hanley reformed, vironment, yet the chorus brilliant album and well
as sublime at the other end songs. When she fully lets with Jonathan Stoye back ‘Let’s find ways to save this worth a listen, especially if
of the album where they loose with her vocal playing bass, plus a new world’ is a hopeful call to you’re looking for a fresh
truly save the best for last majesty you cannot fail to line-up which sees Shad arms to work together to take on old school rock.
with 'Rise', another mar- be impressed. The new Teems holding the sticks find solutions. ‘Sorry’ is an YYYYY
velous example of melodic album includes a some- and Nic Brooks on guitar absolute belter, and Julia’s Clare Huckett
rock at its finest. The key- what rare treat from the duties. Framing Hanley has vocal power really comes
board helps bring out the Dutch contingent with evolved and are showcas- to the fore. It starts with just
ALBUMS