The future is melodic hard rock if H.E.A.T.’s latest record, “Welcome to the Future,” is anything to go by. After listening to it a few times, I can easily get on board with this version of what’s to come, at least musically, since I think reality has more somber plans. Anyways, the Swedes’ latest studio record, and second since Kenny Leckremo’s return, came out on April 25th, 2025, on earMUSIC, and it’s a waterfall of melodies and danceable rhythms.
Generally speaking, Swedish musicians come up with some of the best and more memorable melodies to ever grace the rock/metal sphere – be it in melodeath (THE HALO EFFECT, DARK TRANQUILLITY), modern metal (AMARANTHE), power metal (SABATON), or hard rock (ECLIPSE, H.E.A.T.) – they have this aspect of making music down to a science at this point. More to the point, where a band like DYNAZTY are brilliantly modernizing and metalizing the ‘80s hard rock sound, H.E.A.T. have fully embraced its sugary cheesiness since their inception, and they usually have the tunes to back it up, in recent years dialing both the melody and the heaviness up to eleven for maximum effect. So it should come as no surprise that this album is not just an easy and fun listening experience thanks to the slick refrains wonderfully carried by Kenny Leckremo’s soaring vocals but also a perfect fit for the coming summer parties as “Welcome to the Future” has a great energy and momentum to it, flowing through many moods and vibes during its 45-minute of runtime.
The album opens with a trio of pre-released singles and I really like how they build up the energy and the intensity from one track to the next, from the riff-heavy, sing-along delight that is the opening track, “Disaster,” through the hard rock sentimentality of “Bad Time for Love,” and culminating with the melodic rocker “Running to You,” whose chorus is so darn good it instantly puts me in a great mood. Kenny Leckremo’s velvety vocals are such a great counterpoint to the sharpness of the guitar, but still with enough power to them to cut through the layers of melody and groove; it keeps everything in a neat balance. The recently released “Call My Name” follows and is a more restrained and even melancholy number with beautifully harmonized vocals and subtle backing synths, offering a bit of a respite from the high-octane melodic madness that came before.
Things pick up momentum again with the mid-paced vocally-driven anthem “In Disguise,” which has a darker edge to it not just from the vocals but from the way the keys and rumbling bass come across, while “The End” has a sense of urgency to the music with great grooves and a kick-ass solo section through the wistful lyrics and vocal delivery balance it out. These two tracks may not be as flashy when it comes to the instrumentals, but they more than make up for it with the darker ambiance and moodiness they bring to the album on top of being a great showcase for Kenny Leckremo’s vocal skills. One of the most fun tracks on the album is undoubtedly “Rock Bottom,” as crushing riffs and gritty vocals merge in a solid rocking piece that lifts up the atmosphere and energy. The sing-along chorus is especially engaging anchored by an arena-size melodic hook and the line “When you hit rock bottom, the only thing is to rock,” proves that bands don’t have to take themselves too seriously to make good music, they just have to deliver it convincingly enough, which H.E.A.T. does incredibly well.
With “Children of the Storm,” things get back on a seriously rocking track as pounding drums, roaring vocals, and soaring melodies carry this song, while the massive chorus is made to be sung live on stage. There’s such an infectious, melody-driven rhythm to this one that is effortlessly taken up by the rest of the tracks on the album. As such, “Losing Game” blends grooves, melodic riffs, and an up-beat energy with some cheesy lyrics and smooth vocals, acting more like a buffer piece between “Children of the Storm” and “Paradise Lost,” another seriously rocking track that boasts some twinkling keys, thundering drums, deep bass, and a resounding chorus that grounds the song. Like I stated earlier, I really like the flow of the music, and “Tear It Down (R.N.R.R.)” uplifts the atmosphere again with a steady beat, yet another great melodic hook, and strong bass lines that give it a darker feel while the vocals easily soar above the instrumentals in what could be Kenny Leckremo’s best vocal moment on this album. The closing track, “We Will Not Forget,” is a simple yet incredible rhythmic piece with a chorus so cheesy and inspiring it will put a smile on your face in no time, leaving you wanting more.
To conclude, “Welcome to the Future” is a great exercise in hard rock and, while it follows their formula to the letter, it is still great fun with plenty of rocking moments, anthemic songs, and catchy melodies. There are no weak spots on this album, no dips in quality whatsoever, proving once again why H.E.A.T. reign supreme when it comes to this particular style of music, the Swedes presenting a cohesive and incredibly fluid album. They aren’t reinventing the wheel by any means, just having fun with it, and this is the biggest takeaway from this album – manage the expectations and enjoy the album for what it has to offer. If you want to get transported back to the late ’80s, this is your gateway.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- Disaster
- Bad Time for Love
- Running to You
- Call My Name
- In Disguise
- The End
- Rock Bottom
- Children of the Storm
- Losing Game
- Paradise Lost
- Tear It Down (R.N.R.R.)
- We Will Not Forget
Lineup
- Kenny Leckremo – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Jimmy Jay – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Jona Tee – keyboards, backing vocals
- Don Crash – drums, backing vocals
- Dave Dalone – guitar, backing vocals
Label
earMUSIC
