Heaven’s Basement FILTHY EMPIRE. Red Bull Records

Heaven’s Basement is a hard rock band from the UK that is renowned for heavy touring schedules and extremely energetic live performances. The band first performed live in Kettering at The Sawyers venue in April 2008 after a few months of being locked away in a studio writing songs. Since then, Heaven’s Basement have toured Europe with the likes of Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Bon Jovi, Theory of a Deadman, Shinedown, Blind Melon, Hardcore Superstar, Tesla, Madina Lake, D-A-D, Thunder, Black Stone Cherry, Halestorm, D’ espairsray as well as playing at many festivals such as Bloodstock Open Air, Hard Rock Hell, Download Festival and Sonisphere festivals among others. Heaven’s Basement have also worked with multi-platinum selling U.S producer Bob Marlette in the studio. Filthy Empire, the band’s debut full length album, was released on February 4th, 2013 to excellent reviews.

Aaron Buchanan - Lead Vocals
Sid Glover - Lead Guitar; Backing Vocals
Rob ‘Bones’ Ellershaw - Bass Guitar; Backing Vocals
Chris Rivers - Drums

It’s great to see a young British band evolve, change, develop to the extent that this band has. In addition the guys are prolific live performers which has undoubtadly upped their game and heavily influenced the sound of this album. And there can be no doubting the band’s heavy rock credentials on hearing the first searing track off the album called ‘Welcome Home’. It’s some welcome as a huge melody underpins explosive performances from all band members - the best of the USA and UK rockers combining beautifully. If this is not a single then it bloody well should be! ‘Fire, Fire’ is next and repeats the dose but this time adding a slow, almost acoustic, short segment towards the end which adds musical distinction. The song also illustrates the band’s instrumental strengths with some wonderful guitar riffs and profound bass play. ‘Nothing Left To Lose’also smashes it by introducing pop sensability to a thundering rock backdrop.

‘Lights Out In London’ drops the pace while upping the rhythmic stakes and adding the strongest melody yet together with some of the most telling riffs. And when think things couldn’t get much better along screams ‘I Am Electric’ with its great lyrics combined with the most powerful vocals, soaring guitars and thjundering bass vibe.

The pace and mood here are diverse with songs like ‘The Long Goodbye’ dumping some of the fuel load with a romantic ballad, and the very beautiful ‘The Price We Pay’ that sheds all the fuel to become a memorable and emotional acoustic heartbreaker. Now if the band is really brave they would release this as a single - hell, it could be the biggest selling single of the year!

The hype behind this band has been high and on this occasion is highy justified. I can’t wait to see the guys perform live.

4.5/5

July/August 2013 Tour