Band: Heart In Hand
Release: Almost There
Release Date: 13/05/2013
Heart In Hand‘s Almost There is a big, big record. Not only is it an important second album for the band, it’s the first fruits of the merge of Siege of Amida and Century Media Records — A great record will help bring Heart In Hand to the forefront of a rapidly improving British Metal scene, whilst an explosive start for the new partnership will give them both a platform to continue rising. Good job it’s bloody good then, isn’t it?!
After the brief instrumental ‘Proposal‘, the album’s title track kicks in. ‘Almost There‘s decisive, even concluding feel makes it an odd choice for an opener, and the progressive nature — both musically and lyrically — suggests it’s better suited to close. But, track placement is the only issue, though.
There’s a prominent British feel stamped onto the record, particularly noticeable in ‘Cuts and Bruises‘. Featuring James Leatherbarrow of Death Of An Artist, the track tastes pleasantly like a melodic Architects whilst still playing host to a destructive concluding breakdown. Continuing the British support, Mallory Knox‘s Mikey Chapman and Sam Douglas lend their lungs to ‘Maybe‘, which is an unsuspected move on Heart In Hand’s behalf. The delay to the release of this record will work hugely in their favour now, as Mallory Knox have boomed in recent months, backed by their signing to Search and Destroy, and with that will draw fresh ears to the album.
‘Life Goes On…‘ and ‘Our Atlantic‘ are the more straight up cuts on the record, delivering a welcome Hardcore fix. The latter has far more substance, though, cleverly changing the tempos and knowing exactly when to unleash fury.
Almost There rivals some of Britain’s best Metal records in recent times. With a big marketing push, Heart In Hand could (and should) really go places off the back of this.
8.5/10
Reviewer: Matt Borucki
