It’s wonderful to see how much KK’s is developing into one of the top venues. Plenty of space, enough bars and it’s beginning to have an atmosphere where you feel comfortable and can enjoy watching bands without any hindrance. A mighty stage and good sound engineering just round it off. Of course there were loads of friends to mingle and catch up with before the start of the proceedings, making it even more pleasant and we’re all excited at the prospect of witnessing these three incredible bands tonight.
Collateral Ever since I first caught sight of these Kent rockers at the Breaking Bands festival a few years ago, I knew they were destined for stardom. These days they are the band everyone wants on tour with them, as they cram the gig slots in for Skid Row and tonights headliners, this is just the proof you need to see how far they have come. A short set with tracks off the eponymous album, beginning with ‘Lullaby’, which gets the audience raising their hands from the off, Mr Big Shot’, ’Midnight Queen’ and slipping in the new single ‘Sin In The City’ they looked the real deal up there tonight. Angelo Tristan and the band have progressed, matured and now fit the larger floor space with ease. Todd Winger in his H.E.A.T tee, scoops up tremendous solos and bassist Jack Bentley-Smith is clean shaven again and cavorts around nonstop. Now a five piece with Louis Malagodi also on guitar and Ben Atkinson on the drum stool, they are now firmly fixed on the scene and major favourites with gig goers. Angelo smiling, holds his guitar up high after the last song ‘Merry Go Round’, the respect for his fans is evident.
A new album is out on October 21st, ‘Rewired’ which can be ordered via https://lnk.to/ETF4TR it’s a remixed/remastered menu of Collateral hits with guests of notoriety, including Jeff Scott Soto, Phil X, Rudy Sarzo, Danny Vaughn, Kee Marcello & Sari Schorr.
Collateral
Mason Hill Vocalist Scott Taylor stands on stage and announces ‘He’s happy to be back at KK’s’ which gets cheers all round. ‘Hold On’ and ‘DNA’ are sumptuously belted out with no time for taking breath and the crowd are bouncing in accord. The Glasgow band throw us ‘Out Of Reach’ with James Bird’s chiming guitar solo and Scott’s powerful lyrics. One of their most endearing songs, it’s an elegant whisper compared to others, but it builds with so much resolve. After praising H.E.A.T for their support we hear ‘Find My Way’ with its fiery ‘Whoa, oh, oh’ chorus and crashing guitar magic, that dives brilliantly at the final bars. ‘Where I Belong’ begins with just Scott and James pairing the intro with sublime feeling, the rest of the band come back on stage as the song winds along and gathers momentum. Again, James produces guitar wizardry that drifts over us and takes us in completely, effortless and mesmerising playing. ‘We Pray’ and ‘Broken Son’ revive the faster tempo and we start bouncing along again. All songs tonight are from the excellent ‘Against The Wall’ album and they end on the title track with pyros blasting our faces. You can’t stand still, it’s impossible, it’s one of the most explosive songs ever written. Up there and owning it, as they say, Mason Hill are superb this evening, in fact you never catch them doing a show, that’s less than exceptional.
After this stint they are staying on the road with the amazing ‘South Of Salem’ as support, so there are some irresistible gigs ahead for us.
Mason Hill
H.E.A.T. The Heat is on, not only is that the intro music for the Scandinavians it’s also true, as those four flames from the pyros give us another lashing of warmth for the bands appearance. Kenny Leckremo the original vocalist is back and boy do we love him, his hair touching the ground as he leans on in with the opener ‘Back To The Rhythm’ from the latest ‘Force Majeure’ album. They were stunningly magnificent at Steelhouse back in the Summer and I know we are going to hear songs from right across the years, but it’s ‘HEAT II’ that features for a while with ‘Dangerous Ground’, ‘Rock Your Body’ and ‘Come Clean’ so much depth to this band, while holding on to the melodies, they also manage to punch the set with raunchiness and smacking guitar licks. ‘Hollywood’ also from the new album, allows the sticks of Don Crash to erupt and the strength of Kenny’s vocals holler like a battle cry. Ten years since ’Straight For Your Heart’ appeared on ‘H.E.A.T’ but tonight it’s as fresh as ever and after ’Tainted Blood’ the stage is deserted for Don’s solo. However, he pulls off a great audience participation, getting us to sing along with ‘whoa, whoas’, a truly impressive show on its own.
I like how the band create a short interlude, the lights fading blue, before Kenny re-emerges having a Union Jack wrapped around his shoulders for ‘One By One’ a gutsy track, again from the lavish ‘H.E.A.T II’. One song that does stand out is ‘Beg, Beg, Beg’ such stark emotion, it’s full of rapturous guitar by Dave Dalone and striking keyboards from Jona Tee, it’s almost glam rock with the repeating chorus and has to be a highlight. I notice a guy down the front holding up a sign, waving it like frantic at the band. Eventually Kenny notices him and allows him onstage to duo on ‘Cry’, wow, well if you don’t ask, as the saying goes ! The lad in question was ‘Ash JD Baker’ from local band ‘Highway’ and have to say he was pretty good. He spent time shaking hands with all of H.E.A.T, afterwards, they loved him, so did the crowd judging by the cheers and applause he received. A dream come true for Ash and there were a few tears as he left the stage.
After all of that it’s back to business with ’1000 Miles’ and ‘Breaking The Silence’. I love the moment Kenny falls on his knees, bathed in a blue light to achieve a moment, confirming my thoughts that the Swedes conjure up some marvellous changes during the show. After ‘Living on The Run’ and ‘Nationwide’ they leave us with ‘A Shot At Redemption’. Warm applause all around the mill and that was some performance.
H.E.A.T are – Kenny Leckremo (Vocals), Dave Dalone (Guitar), Jimmy Jay (Bass), Jona Tee (Keyboards), Don Crash (Drums)
Listen to ‘Force Majeure’ on Spotify, Apple or Deezer – or buy the album here: https://Heat.lnk.to/ForceMajeureFA
H.E.A.T
Well we all knew it was going to be a killer night and all three bands didn’t disappoint one iota. It was satisfying to see the support bands look so comfortable on the bigger floor, cementing the fact that they have grown into top acts. H.E.A.T with the luscious Kenny at the helm have started a new chapter and were thoroughly entertaining, bringing different levels to their set, that are gaining them wider appreciation within the media and beyond. Needless to say many of my friends will be off to see them again on this tour, they are that good.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to KK’s Steelmill & Lisa Billingham
Photo Credit – Alexandra Peace
For more photos see the full gallery HERE
