H.E.A.T – Live At Sweden Rock Festival (CD/DVD/BRD)

Review by; Hungryasabadger

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Let me start by saying if you haven’t yet seen H.E.A.T live then you are missing a treat! Sweden’s H.E.A.T are one of the best up and coming live acts around, full of energy, hook-laden material and sing-along choruses galore.

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This release marks the bands second live album in the space of four years which may seem a quick turnaround but it serves as a good opportunity for H.E.A.T to showcase the highlights of their 2017 hit album Into The Great Unknown and it’s astounding 2014 predecessor Tearing Down The Walls. The fact that 9 of the 13 tracks that make up Live at Sweden Rock Festival are culled from both these albums is testament to the strength of those albums. Put simply both albums rock!

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How H.E.A.T aren’t bigger in the UK is a mystery as their brand of feel good melodic rock is very similar to what UK audiences have been dining out on for years via the likes of Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and Motley Crue. However, to give H.E.A.T their due, although the boys in the band wear their influences on their sleeves their music is more a homage than a direct rip off and is definitely rock music for the modern era. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy both Steel Panther and Reckless Love but H.E.A.T give both the comedy stylings of the former and the latter’s shameless rip off of bands from days gone by a wide berth to provide a breath of fresh air to melodic rock fans everywhere.

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H.E.A.T are amazing live with accomplished playing from all band members while singer Erik Gronwall’s energy and vocal abilities are astounding. It is unfortunate then that the for the first couple of songs on ‘Live..’ Erik’s voice appears slightly muddy and lost in the mix. Luckily this niggling issue is quickly rectified and the 2009 Swedish Idol winner is soon back being heard in great voice throughout the remainder of the album.

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It is a very strong set from the band including a fantastic segue into AC/DC’s ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ during ‘Beg Beg Beg’ but the definite highlight of the album is the soaring sing-along wonder of ‘Tearing Down The Walls’ towards the end of the set. Simply fantastic and should send goose-bumps up the listener’s spine.

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If you haven’t checked out H.E.A.T yet and love live albums this is a great place to start.

‘H.E.A.T Live at Sweden Rock Festival’ is available from 26th July 2019 on CD, DVD and Blu-Ray Disc.

4/5 stars