earMUSIC
Release: 25 April 2025
Genre: Melodic Hard Rock
Links: https://www.heatsweden.com/
Line Up:
Jona Tee
Jimmy Jay
Don Crash
Kenny Leckremo
Dave Dalone
Tracklist:
“Disaster”
“Bad Time for Love”
“Running to You”
“Call My Name”
“In Disguise”
“The End”
“Rock Bottom”
“Children of the Storm”
“Losing Game”
“Paradise Lost”
“Tear It Down (R.N.R.R.)”
“We Will Not Forget”
In an era where rock seems perpetually at a crossroads, Swedish powerhouse H.E.A.T continues defying expectations with their spirited brand of melodic hard rock. Their newest studio effort, Welcome to the Future, drops this week, marking another chapter in their storied career of keeping guitar-driven anthems alive in the streaming age.
Emerging from the suburbs of Stockholm in the late 2000s, H.E.A.T quickly distinguished themselves from the crowd of Scandinavian rock revivalists through sheer songwriting prowess. Their self-titled 2008 debut established them as serious contenders, introducing listeners to a sound that married classic melodic sensibilities with contemporary production muscle. The band’s trajectory hasn’t followed a straight line. Their lineup shifts—particularly in the vocal department—have become part of their evolving narrative. Kenny Leckremo’s original stint gave way to the Erik Grönwall era, which saw the band expand their international footprint with albums like Address the Nation. When Leckremo reclaimed the microphone in 2020, it marked both a return to their roots and a fresh beginning that carried through their previous release, Force Majeure.
With Welcome to the Future, H.E.A.T appears intent on solidifying their reputation as masters of melodic hard rock while expanding their sonic vocabulary. The album arrives at a moment when rock’s old guard continues to fade while newer acts struggle to fill the void. H.E.A.T occupies a unique middle ground—neither veterans nor newcomers, but experienced enough to understand what makes a great rock record tick. Their ongoing global tour, which has been running for a few months now across Europe and later Latin America, speaks to their growing international appeal. What separates H.E.A.T from their contemporaries is their unwavering commitment to crafting songs that stand on their own merits rather than relying on nostalgia alone.
The headbanger opener “Disaster” shows H.E.A.T at 110% momentum—a fire burner of energy with chunky riffs and smooth synth keys at the beginning. Kenny comes in and kicks things into high gear as he can usually do, and the fun begins. A banger has been written right from the onset. “Bad Time For Love” continues with their ultra melodic hooks—featuring a super catchy chorus and nice anthemic groove that takes the prize. The highs in Leckremo’s voice brings hints of the great Nils Molin of Dynazty in spots, so good. Not surprised he got booked to join Avantasia on their tour.
Pictures: Adrian Hextall / (C) MindHex Media
The burning fire continues in the uber 80’s sound escapades of “Running To You”—the guitar action here is super tight and sleazy. “Call My Name” keeps momentum rolling forward, with a commonly used crafted formula they have been using since their awesome Freedom Rock. The chorus here is super accessible and easy to listen to. The keyboards really feature a wondrous Foreigner magic in “The End,” another ultra catchy tune that features more Pop/AOR undertones. “Children of the Storm” raises the temperature once again and keeps proving that Sweden just breeds Melodic Rock, something in the water there it has to be.
Welcome to the Future proves that H.E.A.T isn’t just surviving in the modern rock landscape—they’re thriving. Kenny Leckremo’s return continues to pay dividends, his versatile vocals soaring above the band’s tight instrumentation. What impresses most is how they balance obvious ’80s influences with contemporary production, creating tracks that pulse with genuine energy rather than nostalgic gimmickry. The guitar work remains fluid, the synth elements add texture, and the rhythm section provides the muscular backbone the genre demands.
For fans of melodic hard rock, this album delivers anthem after anthem of fist-pumping, chorus-shouting material that stands alongside the band’s best work. For newcomers, it offers an accessible entry point into their scorching catalog. It’s very hard to choose between Erik and Kenny—yes, Erik has the stronger range, no doubt about that, but Leckremo fits their sound so well. The rest of the band knows exactly how to get back to their roots here; he doesn’t have to be something he is not as a vocalist, and the sound just flows. For that, they deserve all the credit. Sweden shows the world how to do it in the 21st Century. Alongside Crazy Lixx, Eclipse, and ART Nation, H.E.A.T. deserve to be huge, trust me on that. As the Swedes continue their extensive global tour, Welcome to the Future provides compelling evidence that the flames of hard rock burn as bright as ever in H.E.A.T’s capable hands.
Written by: Shadow Editor
Ratings: 9/10
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