Hell is for Heroes (reviews)

Reviews

HoMe

HELL IS FOR HEROES – THE JOINERS, SOUTHAMPTON

WEDS 4^TH AUGUST

After the success and hype of Hell is for Heroes last year, many bands would be seen to run into the studio – conjure up a similar mediocre follow up album, rush it out, have a short promoting stint and hope the fame train they’re aboard hasn’t derailed. But Hell is for Heroes aren’t about that. Respectively they’ve shunned this route and hidden away in London and Radioheads recording shack in Oxford, left the pressure of writing on cue behind them and slowly started writing real music that they believe in.

After 12 months of silence their return has finally come, opening at Southampton Joiners, the first date on their Punk Fucking Rock tour. Under a new label and showcasing their new material for the first time to a sold out venue they’ve got a lot to live up to. Tonight they are supported by An Emergency and the impressive Plymouth based The Once over Twice. This 4 piece showing off hardcore yet appealing catchy songs that grab you by the throat and make you stop and really take notice. Highlights of their set include ‘Adenoidal’ and their final song, ‘The Adult Crash’ proving to the crowd that they’ve got passion and depth in their music as well as straight up power rock. While awaiting HIFH to traipse on to the stage there’s a feeling of anticipation and nervousness in the air – How much has the music changed? Is the change good? The lingering questions are about to be answered as a roar spreads across the crowd as they take the stage and jump into the adrenaline fuelled ‘Three of Clubs’, which proves the songs off the first album (Neon Handshake) haven’t grown old as the crowd scream the lyrics word for word and you'd be forgiven for thinking that the album was only released last week. They go through various songs from Neon Handshake such as the powerful ‘5 kids go’, the anthemic ‘I can climb mountains’ and the in your face ‘Out of Sight’ all played with the usual throat shredding screams, killer riffs, beats and thrashing guitars. HIFH front man, Justin (Schlossberg) proves he hasn’t lost his effortless presence on stage and gets immediate fervent responses with every small comment he utters. After passing out bottles of water to the steaming crowd he states “I fucking love small gigs” receiving a very wet yet enthusiastic cheer before they jump head first into the colossal ‘Sick/Happy’ which ultimately turns the packed small room of the Joiners into a sauna of crazy alcohol infused bodies bounding and rejoicing to the return of their old/new favourite band.

Their new single ‘One of Us’ still has the distinctive HIFH sound and doesn’t waver too far from their old material yet sounds sharper and almost more defiant. With opening lyrics of “We’ve been abducted, my head corrupted…” it could be easily interpreted to a general feeling of people's resistance against the state of the country at the present day. Other new songs including ‘Discos and Casinos’, ‘Panic One’ (working title) which ultimately turns the crowd into an imitation of chimps on crack with pogo sticks and the lengthy ‘Transmit Disrupt’, sounds similar to ‘Slow Song’ from Neon Handshake yet with more angst and depth. All the new material demands and receives excited and enthusiastic reactions, its still loud, its still hard and still fast yet hasn’t lost an intense melodic side either. Aside the music, what stands out forefront about HIFH is the way they mingle around the crowds before and after the show, holding no barrier between the band and the fans and unidentifiably slotting into the crowds with ease.

Although the set seemed slightly shorter than expected (mainly due to the extreme heat wave like conditions) the whole gig was razor sharp and proved they haven’t let themselves slip, and in fact have shown themselves to step up to the challenge of ‘returning’ and shattered the door down with clenched fists (along with some blinding tunes.) If anyone had put aside or forgotten about HIFH they were explosively re-awoken at the Joiners. You still can’t pigeonhole or ignore this band and they are one of few around that give off a revolutionary spirit embraced by their loyal fans. With another tour in October coming I can happily announce that Hell if for Heroes are back.

Tanya K

For more info on The Once Over Twice go to www.theonceovertwice.com

' An album that rocks like a cast iron wrecking ball .... equal parts fury and celebration, an emotionally fraught roller coaster ride and the side of a bans searching for - and finding - it's own voice' - KERRANG

' If hell is for heroes then hell is for hell is for heroes' Johnny K

'Genius name and kick ass album' - FHM

' Here lies the future of British rock - The Fly

' This is an almighty racket. The Neon Handshake manages warmth and slickness without ever loosing its capacity to inflict pain' - NME

(In relation to today's music industry) ' ...regardless these 5 young men from England are going over the top as we speak. Britney will hurl her chest out, pop idols will clutter the way with kids they've cheated out of pocket money, and U2 will throw thousands of pounds at marketing campaigns. Clearly this is hell. But really, honestly, truly we've got heroes'. - Johnny K

Hell is for Heroes lay down a challenge to other bands, daring them to be this good. Come and have a go if you think your loud enough' NME

Check out my personal interview with

Justin Schlossberg on the "AbOuT" page

' A great and glorious tumbling mess of post-hardcore posturing and taut uplifting melodies ' - Kerrang

' ... taking heavy leads from the post hardcore pack and their riffs and hooks from nu-metal, hell is for heroes are about to break into the mainstream with enough energy and fury to eclipse any rock band this year' - Chris Heath (dotmusic.com)

' ..with a refreshing and open wide sound and brilliant songs to help it along, 'The Neon Handshake' is easily one of the most exciting British Rock albums of the last few years' - MetalUK

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