H.E.A.T - Force Majeure

It’s back to the rhythm for the Swedish rock stars as their latest album proves to be a major force towards AOR domination.

H.E.A.T have had a tumultuous rise to stardom through various changes to band lineups and record labels since their inception back in 2007. However despite the changes, the music has always remained consistent to the melodic rock stylings that have gained them a loyal following. 

Force Majeure, the bands latest record released this year (2022) marks their 7th release and is another reset for the bands history, quite literally as it sees the return of the bands original lineup since 2009. After the departure of Erik Gronwall, the singer that had served and led the band over the course of the past 10 years, who has departed to join legends Skid Row, H.E.A.T announced his replacement and their new signing who turned out to be their original singer Kenny Leckremo. After the return of their former guitarist for the 5th album, this latest change brings back the original H.E.A.T lineup and gives the band a reset if you will after all this time with the release of this their 7th album.

H.E.A.T have trickled a few songs from Force Majeure out before the albums release, teasing us with their return and the sounds they’ve encapsulated. The first track on the album, “Back to the Rhythm” was the first to have been released and sets the tone for what was to come. It’s an unapologetic, hard hitting anthem announcing the return of the group. Like most melodic rock, it follows a familiar pattern and doesn’t take many risks but with that said, it’s a solid foot tapping, enjoyable romp that will please any fan of this style

Next up is “Nationwide” and we go from a one solid anthem to the next this time upping the pace and energy which is relentless throughout, I can really see this track getting the crowds pumped during their live performances.

Following is a return to the style of the first track. “Tainted Blood” is a slower, more deliberate, air punching classic rock track that would fit comfortably on any rock album from the 80s, it’s consistent drum beat and rhythm section drive this powerful track.

“Hollywood” is a fun, energetic song that makes good use of its prominent keyboard notes to reinforce the catchy melody while maintaining the heavy sound that this album has conjured. It’s a shame that they’re not more well known throughout Hollywood land and the rest of the world.

The tune of “Harder to Breathe” starts off with a hummed section that very much reminds me of a sea shanty and appears a few times throughout the song that could very easily have been featured in a training montage of an 80’s action film.

Something consistent throughout this album so far for me has been the feeling that the listener can really sing along with Kenny throughout any of these songs. That’s not to say that many of us are going to reach his vocal accomplishments, but the songs are going to be great for a crowd to really belt out during live performances with passion and energy.

“Not For Sale” hits a little different to begin with, it sounds a little harder, a little darker than what we’ve had so far, something of a minor key but there’s nothing minor about this power house of a track that continues the hard hitting, catchy nature of the beast.

I haven’t elaborated on the guitar solos for each song as throughout each and every one of them, Dave Dalone is able to craft something incredibly complex and yet effortless sounding that blends so well into the structure of each track they cease to become mere “guitar solos” and are more a part of an overall narrative of the melody. There are some cases where a guitar solo can overshadow in songs, but not here. That’s not a disservice to Dalone but more a compliment to the accomplishments of the rest of the band and also the construction of each song as an entity that are able to match and weave so well around the amazing licks that Dave lays down. It’s also a testament to the mix of the record that so effectively blends the whole performance together to create something so genuinely pleasing to the ear.

After such a high tempo ride through the first half of the album, we suddenly come to a seeming crawl with “One of Us”. Don’t mistake this change of pace for a change of quality though as Kenny’s vocals really shine through this emotionally charged power ballad which is topped off nicely by Dave Dalone’s guitar and the twinkling of Jona Tee’s keyboard that add the essential keys to really tick all the power ballad boxes on this one.

“Hold your Fire” quickly throws us back into the hard hitting fire with another rhythm driven song with a catchy chorus. “Paramount” throws us a curve ball, opening more like a national anthem but quickly evolves as the layers of guitar kick in. Then “Demon Eyes” really tries to make your ears bleed as the tempo ramps up to a march reminiscent of Iron Maiden and delivers heavy fast paced guitar licks and shredding. Ironically one lyric mentioned is “No-one can save me the damage is done”, last heard in the Bon Jovi track You give Love a Bad Name, needless to say H.E.A.T are delivering something here quite a bit further from anything Bon Jovi has in many years.

“Wings of an Aeroplane” soars as the final track of a thoroughly solid and enjoyable album and harkens back to the style of the first track, bookending it very nicely indeed. Overall it’s a creation that this group should be very proud of, no doubt their legion of fans will be and with any luck it will be a runway to further launch the Swedish rockers into the pages of legends where they belong.  

There are some of these style of bands that are quick to try and jump on nostalgia, but H.E.A.T feel more genuine than that, the music they make has a genuine passion interwoven in every melody. The return of Kenny Leckremo, his powerful, clean vocals that seem to reach unhindered ranges really shine on this album but this is not a one man band and throughout we have the amazing individual instrumental performances that all combine together so perfectly to create a sound that is both reminiscent of the 80’s and 90’s and classic rock bands like Europe and Whitesnake, whilst also feeling modern, up to date and fresh.

As someone that has had H.E.A.T on the radar for a while, I’ve picked up on a few songs that I’ve heard either online or via the radio, every time I’ve heard them I’ve always had the same thoughts. This sounds great, I’ll have to check out more of them. Yet seldom do I remember. It’s a shame that over the years they have been going that there isn’t an even greater following and exposure for this Swedish group, but I can definitely say that with this latest release, H.E.A.T will be taking a firm place on my playlist for the foreseeable future. 

I am also very much looking forward to getting to see them play live when they hit my local venue in the near future, with any luck and with fingers crossed, I’ll get to be there in a professional capacity to photograph and report back on their performance. If this album is anything to go by then I think the fans are in for quite a show.