Open Fire

Heat Of Damage

Independent release, 2015

http://www.heatofdamage.com

REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 09/09/2016

If you miss the days when bands like Korn, Deftones, and Linkin Park ruled the radio, this young outfit from Sacramento is a band you won't want to miss out on. However, it would a disservice to label Heat Of Damage as merely a radio rock band. Throughout these ten songs, the band touches on alt-rock, punk rock, metal, and even a ballad to boot. my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

“Watch You Burn” opens up the assault with a heavy attack on the senses where moments of melody are laced between aggressive hard rock. “Judgment Day” follows and brings in a hardcore element with the screeching vocals from their bassist, but ultimately, it doesn't stray too far from the formula at the onset of the album.

Third track “Accessory” is my personal favorite, as the youngsters veer into punk rock territory with melodic singing and a tempo and template that would have fit perfect on a mixed tape with Autopilot Off and Finch in 2003. “Fade Away” then brings more diversity in the form of a ballad, before the Southern classic rock feel of “Little Miss Hill.”

The last half of the album maintains a robust and driving feel with excellent percussion and well placed female vocals on “Heaven,” before some intricate guitar solos on “The Greeding Party.” The album then exits on the '80s rock flair of “Any Other Way.”

The pros of this record are obvious: incredible production and top-notch recording. The sound here is crisp and has an explosive, live feel. And while I'm not nor have ever been a fan of this type of sound, it's quite obvious that these guys have incredible talent at what they do. Where they could, and likely will over time develop, is the lyrical content. It's often times not hard to predict what line is coming next or what word they are preparing to rhyme.

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if Heat Of Damage is spoken in the same sentence as Machine Head or Trapt in the years to come. If this type of music is in your rotation, you might want to get a jump on this group today and say you liked them before they were big.

Rating: B+

User Rating: Not Yet Rated


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