Heaven’s Basement – Heaven’s Basement

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It’s a possible third time lucky for two-time triers Heaven’s Basement. They started life as the promising Hurricane Party, and got as far as a pair of EPs. Citing Hurricane Katrina as their reason for a name change they became Roadstar, worming their way onto several good tours, but releasing two weak and commercially unsuccessful albums before splitting up. Now all five are back together as Heaven’s Basement, and there’re definite signs of improvement. Richie Heavans still desperately wants to be a Steven Tyler-esque front-man, and still isn’t, and Johnny Rocker still has a silly name, but they have, at the third time of asking, written some good hard rock songs. Still nothing revolutionary, or in any way special, but better than they used to be, which is a start. Opener Tear Your Heart Out is the weakest of the lot, but the solo section and breakdown of Executioner’s Day is excellent, as is the grooving Saint Routine, reminiscent of Roadstar’s best song Last Survivor. Fear of Getting Off is another strong rock song with a solid groove and closer Reign On My Parade is straight fast-paced Mötley Crüe. If they take the best from this EP and write several more songs of equal quality, their debut album should be very good indeed.

Written by Andy Lye
More: EPs, Quick.Play Reviews, Rock, Heaven's Basement