By Monk
In the PC (that’s Pre-Covid) era, Wild Heat were one of those bands that were starting to build some serious momentum on the Northern Ireland rock and metal scene before the pandemic stymied everything and put the entire music world’s imminent plans on indefinite hold. But, like so many of their counterparts, they have come exploding out of the blocks in the post-lockdown timeline, with a series of fiery live performances, now backed up by this, their second studio album.
Opener ‘Red Lights’ has been a staple of their live show for a while and therefore wraps itself around with the familiarity of one of your favourite leather jackets, its infectious groove and chorus setting the foot-tapping, headbanging tone for what is to come. ‘That Night’ has a suitably sleazy undertone to its crunching main riff coupled with a grunting undercurrent that truly evokes the spirit of the Strip’s back alleys.
‘Dynamite’ pumps and grinds in the best tradition of the likes of Dokken or Skid Row, although Tommy’s acerbic vocal hints at a darker tone than either band have ever managed. If this was still the MTV generation, then the likes of ‘Shame On You’, ‘Long Gone’, ‘Filthy Love’ – in fact, I could name every song on this album – would be on primetime heavy rotation. ‘Hypnotized’ is another song that lives up to its title, as it entrances you with its glorious old school glunk riff and huge singalong harmonic.
‘Hustle’ (the album, not just the song) lives up to its title. It not only hustles its way into your aural cortexes but shoves the bouncers aside and breaks down the doors to that precious VIP bar with its diamond-encrusted New Rocks.
Sometimes, outside of the restrictions of this reviewing malarkey, I just want to sit down and listen to an album for the sheer enjoyment of doing so. ‘Hustle’ is one of those precious few albums I have happily added to that list. And I won’t allowing it to ‘Let Go’ any time soon.
- ‘Hustle’ is released on 28 October. You can get your copy HERE.
- Wild Heat support Maverick at the Diamond Rock Club, Ahoghill, on 5 November.
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