Heaven’s Basement Album Review
Heaven’s Basement – Unbreakable E.P.
Words by Ryan Cooper
Back in 2009 I went to witness one of my all time favourite bands destroy the Brixton
Academy, this band being Papa Roach. This venture resulted in me discovering one of
my now favourite bands…Heaven’s Basement. My heart was well and truly won by these
UK hard rockers opening set consisting of drumstick tricks, insane behind head solos
and captivating riffs. Buying their debut self-titled EP from then singer Richie Hevanz, it
became a irremovable resident on my i-pod. Their relentless touring schedule enabled
me to get my Heaven’s Basement fix quite regularly, but they were plagued with line up
issues. With original singer Richie being replaced by Johnny Fallen (singer of York band
theFALLEN) for a while.
Now minus guitarist Jonny Rocker, but with (hopefully long term) vocalist Aaron Buchanan,
they seem to have settled long enough to record this amazing EP. Completed by guitar
hero in the making Sid Glover, bassist Rob Ellershaw and drummer Chris Rivers, hopefully
they are finally about to get what they deserve. A shot at the big time! When I first heard
of the original vocalist change, doubt plagued my mind as I loved Richie’s style. But being
a huge fan of ‘theFALLEN’, I knew what Johnny Fallen was capable of, and seeing them
live..he didn’t disappoint. Then he was replaced by Aaron Buchanan, and after seeing him
perform live with the band, the original doubts were violently evicted from my brain!
This magnificently crafted 7 track EP does what it needs to do. It highlights EXACTLY why
Heaven’s Basement should be a fuckload bigger than they currently are!! All 4 members
are astonishing musicians, and collectively they make some of the huge bands they have
spent the past few years supporting look amateur in comparison. All of this comes across
so strongly on this EP. Packed with what can perfectly described as ‘rock anthems’, not
one track makes the skip button look the slightest bit tempting. The advantage of an EP
over a full length is that there is no room for filler. Just 7 tracks of pure stadium hard rock
beauties!
Opener and title track ‘Unbreakable’ rockets from the gates, grabs you by the balls and
gives them a mighty pull. With a chorus so catchy it forces all other songs in my head to
evacuate the premises..they’re onto something already. And they don’t let go of the tightly
gripped testicles until 27 minutes later when the EP comes to an end. Closer ‘Leeches’ is
the ultimate standout track for myself, being the heaviest offering on here, giving the EP
the perfect send off.
Never heard of Heaven’s Basement? Where the hell have you been hiding?? The
basement? Ah sorry that was poor! Well the basement is not where these guys are gonna remain for much longer thats for sure, they will soon be exploring the rest of the house, getting the success they deserve!
8.5/10
August 30th, 2011
I was so excited when I read this review, so I went to check them out. Although the review is good, the band are shit. They need a real dose of 2011. We’ve all heard this sort of band some twenty years ago and this is exactly where it should have stayed.
August 31st, 2011
if it wasn’t for the rock and metal of the 70′s and 80′s your pussy little bands like You Me At Six wouldn’t exist. get a grip. bag your jealousy. and when you learn to play your instrument with as much conviction as this band come to me and tell me you can’t respect them for their ability. i have seen this band twice with different singers and the show they give is insane. chances are you’re probably just some jealous musician in another band anyway… anyway… you rock HB
August 31st, 2011
Well you obviously know nothing about music Louise Black! The review is spot on and the band are bang up to date, go listen to Beiber you will love him Lousie and keep your vile comments to yourself please! you need a dose of soap to wash the shit out of you mouth, and that is exactly where it should have stayed.
September 1st, 2011
Wow, Ali, get a grip. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. So Louise doesn’t like this particular band – that’s her right. At no point did she voice anything “vile”. If you’re going to slate someone’s opinion, maybe do so in a way that doesn’t highlight the fact that you’re presenting yourself as highly unlearned, because you lose the argument before even beginning.
And Scott, your statement is based entirely on assumption therefore invalid. You assume her to be a YMA6 fan and later assume that she’s secretly a male musician who listens to Bieber. Again, with the stupidity..
My personal opinion is that the band are alright; clearly talented individual musicians and I wish them all the very best.
September 1st, 2011
Louise: Im glad that my review urged you to check these guys out, but its a shame that you didnt like what you heard. Afterall, this review is just my opinion. Thanks for reading though!
Scott: Glad to see you are also a huge fan of HB, and it is true what you say about the bands of the past shaping the bands of today!
Ali: Thanks for the confidence in my review! ha keep the arguing down though
Tom: Thanks for trying to defuse the arguement here haha!