HEAVEN’S BASEMENT – Unbreakable (2011)
HEAVEN’S BASEMENT born from the ashes of a promising British combo formerly known as Hurricane Party, and then Roadstar which was surprisingly dissolved after only two albums.
Apparently members had differences with their management, and decided to go under a new name from scratch.
Heavens Basement’s played their first live show in April 2008 and ever since then they have been busy playing their old skool brand of heavy rock across the UK and Europe where they have so far played over 400 shows including having the main support slot on Thunder’s UK & European tour as well as support slots with Bon Jovi, and memorable appearances at Bloodstock, Hard Rock Hell and Sonisphere festivals, not bad for an unsigned band.
After their self released EP debut in 2009, Heaven’s Basement certainly managed to create a buzz. The band has been featured in Classic Rock Magazine and also two tunes from the EP have aired on the accompanied Classic Rock CD.
The band has seen a couple of line-up changes since they formed in 2007. The latest version has Aaron Buchanan (vocals), Sid Glover (guitar and vocals), Rob Ellershaw (bass) and Chris Rivers (drums).
Now they’re presenting a brand new EP; “Unbreakable” (again, self-managed) with some tracks produced by legendary mutli-platium Grammy nominated U.S. producer Bob Marlette (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Stone Cherry, Alice Cooper).
Heaven’s Basement sound and style reminded me a lot of the bands that came out of the late eighties, except heavier.
“Unbreakable” is a trashed-up guitar-driven release, chock full of hard bluesy, ballsy tunes that are extremely fun and enjoyable to listen.
Each track is full of swagger and attitude, packed with screaming choruses and tons of hot and vintage valvular guitar work.
Put in your mixer Thunder, Pink Cream 69, Crazy Lixx, an equal amount of Motley Crue, Skid Row and a dash of the very early Guns ‘N Roses, and you have Heaven’s Basement recipe.
This test-the-water 7 tracker EP finds the band stoked up, aggressive as marooned dogs, imbued of fiery melodies.
Bristling riffs and jagged, riotous hooks are their poison, and they shoot their songs out like desperate, last gasp bullets.
“Unbreakable” certainly got the energy. It is actually a disgrace that this is an EP only, since it could have made the perfect backbone for a full album release.
Heaven’s Basement plays rough ‘n ready Rock N Roll, hard and uncompromising. All songs are well written and performed, while production is great for an indie. It is incredible that this band remains unsigned.
These tracks were recorded when the group included two guitar players, both providing big thick and fast tasty sounding guitar riffs, while new singer Aaron Buchannan fits perfectly for this kind of material hitting some high notes, but sometimes has a glam tone to his voice.
This is honest good time R ‘N R music, caustic, in-your-face, and demands to be played live. Following the success of their May UK headline tour, Heaven’s Basement have announced they’ll be appearing live at the UK’s mighty Download Festival at the legendary Donnington site on the weekend of 10th – 12th June 2011.
Take note of Heaven’s Basement and listen to this disc, it’s pure Rock ‘N Roll.
1 – Unbreakable
2 – Guilt Trips And Sins
3 – The Long Goodbye
4 – Close Encounters
5 – Paranoia *
6 – Let Me Out Of Here
7 – Leeches
Aaron Buchanan – Lead Vocals
Sid Glover – Guitar; Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals* (5)
Rob ‘Bones’ Ellershaw – Bass, Backing Vocals
Chris Rivers – Drums
www.heavensbasement.com
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT !
