H.E.A.T

March 01, 2024 - 06:46 AM - 984 views

Genre	hard rock, melodic rock, AOR, rock, swedish

H.E.A.T (also known as simply Heat) is a melodic hard rock band that formed in Sweden in the year 2007. Rising from the merger of local groups Dream and Trading Fate, the guys released their self-titled debut album in 2008. Inspired by arena rock, classic metal, and power pop bands of the 70s and 80s, the group achieved international notoriety in the 2010s after taking in retro-rocker and TV star Erik Grönwall.

In 2007, they gained energy as an opening act to Toto, and the following year they got a massive break serving as an opening act to heavy metal legends Alice Cooper and Sabaton. The band performed at the Sweden Rock Festival that year as well. Their sound earned them the Årets Nykomlingar award, given out by the Swedish radio station P4 Dist for the best new artist as voted by the listeners. In 2009, the band played at the Melodifestivalen 2009, the Swedish qualifier to the annual Eurovision Song Contest, and made it to the final round with the song "1000 Miles". The band also toured around Europe as an opening act to Edguy that year.

The 2008 release of H.e.a.t was followed up by 2010's Freedom Rock. Continuing their high-energy yet slick style, it was ranked in the "Top Ten AOR/Melodic Rock Albums of 2010" by Classic Rock Magazine. Vocalist Kenny Leckremo's departure from H.E.A.T in mid-2010 brought a major change as retro-rocker and TV star Erik Grönwall became the band's new frontman. The singer had won the program Swedish Idol in December 2009, playing material by the likes of Iron Maiden and Skid Row (a huge change from the mellow pop ballads often seen on Swedish TV).

The groups's first two albums with Grönwall on the mic, 2012's Address the Nation and 2014's Tearing Down the Walls, earned a positive fan response and international acclaim. Sleaze Roxx remarked that if "you haven’t yet heard Tearing Down The Walls yet, give yourself a… present by purchasing what is sure to be a contender for record of the year." The guys' latest release is 2017's Into the Great Unknown, their third with vocalist Erik Grönwall. The album saw the return of former guitarist Dave Dalone, who rejoined the band after the departure of Eric Rivers in 2016. Dave Ling of Classic Rock Magazine published the following quote in his review of Into the Great Unknown: "H.E.A.T. have just made the most complete album of their career. Watch their rise continue."

H.E.A.T released H.E.A.T II on 21 February 2020, returning to their heavier sound. On 30 October 2020, the band announced via their official Facebook page that original singer Kenny Leckremo has rejoined the band replacing the departing singer Erik Grönwall.

The current members of the band are:
Kenny Leckremo – lead vocals, guitar (2007–2010, 2020-present)
Dave Dalone - Guitars
Jona Tee - Keyboards
Jimmy Jay - Bass
Don Crash - Drums

Former members:
Eric Rivers (Erik Hammarbäck) – guitars, backing vocals (2007–2016)
Erik Grönwall – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica (2010–2020)

Studio albums
H.

E.A.T - (2008)
Freedom Rock - (2010)
Address the Nation - (2012)
Tearing Down the Walls - (2014)
Into the Great Unknown - (2017)
H.E.A.T II - (2020)
Force Majeure - (2022)

Their official website is at: www.heatsweden.com

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