H.E.A.T. - Feeling the heat in Belgium!!!

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Start things off for us in Belgium!!!

Graspop Festival 

H.E.A.T. *** (Main Stage 1) are a real hot property on the AOR / Classic Rock circuit, sounding like a cross between bands like Hardcore Superstar and Hanoi Rocks with Europe, FM and other AOR bands from the 80's. You do wonder how they have got onto the main stage this year, with other bigger bands being subjected to the second or small stages. I do think this is because of the spotless reputation for being a great live act and the fact other bands on the bill wanted them their. 

Blasting in with 'All about Tonight', you can hear why people have been so interested in H.E.A.T.. This song has a killer riff and reminds me of some of the recent material by Hardcore Superstar, I do know that the band have worked with the fellow Swedes on a few tracks so maybe this is one of them. It is hard hitting and has a killer groove to it so makes you want to stamp your feet in time to the beat.

Another one of the songs that really impresses tonight is a slightly different version of 'Beg, Beg, Beg' mixing it up with Deep Purple's 'Highway Star'. This shows that they are a band that can mix things up and do it with style, Yes! H.E.A.T. mean buisness and one of the things they want you to do is sing your lungs out to their catchy songs. Like the ever popular with the fans and the title track to their last album 'Tearing down the Walls' which is a real stand out song and goes in well with songs like 'A Shot at Redemption' which works really well in the hot sun with it's Blues and Sleaze vibe.

A touch of fun and cheese is brought to Graspop with the 80's anthemtastic 'Living on the Run', which you can hear the early morning crowd singing and the top of their voice. This song makes one of the best moments in their set and I am sure I am going to be remembering it for the rest of the year.

'Point of no Return' is a good closing number, but let's just hope this band are not past the point of no return with their growing status as a band. Because I feel they have gone a little bit on the back burner in our thoughts in the last few months, and I think I have seen H.E.A.T. play better festival performances. I was expecting far more from them and I think they didn't deliver this even though they really did try.I think maybe they were trying to hard to be the best Rock band  in the World, and forgot that it's all about feeling and just going with it. 'Point of no Return' is such a big song and it should have been blasted at you, like they were the headlining act. 

I would recommend you listen to H.E.A.T. they have so many great songs, even though they sound a bit dated and a bit Retro at times... you just want to listen to more. I think music is going backwards a little in the last few years, and people are realising it is about having great songs and a great stage presence and this is how you can live forever. Only time will tell if H.E.A.T. will stand the test of time, but I do hope they do.

Review by Dan Devour and Photo's by Dan Devour and Dezadie

Check Out! the Video for 'Living on the Run' Below...