Review Summary: Don't Touch That Dial.
'Heck' originate from Nottingham (England) and started out in 2009 under the name 'Baby Godzilla'. Since forming they released several noisy EPs and gained a reputation for incredibly energetic shows leaving carnage in their wake. In July 2015 they were pressured in to changing their name by the Japanese cinema giant who own the trademark 'Godzilla'. On 11th March 2016 their debut LP 'Instructions' was released...
The opening track 'Good as Dead' is the perfect introduction to this band and the album. From the start you find yourself pummeled with a barrage of aggression before an addictive and bouncy riff kicks in. By the end of the first minute you are either scrambling to hit the stop button or decimating your surrounding environment. There is no middle ground.
As the album continues you feel yourself being thrown side to side with chaotic song structures. The pace continually changes meaning your attention never dwindles. If you dig deep beneath the mayhem there are still technical riffs however; elements of 'Fastback' would not sound out of place on a 'Dillinger' record.
There are brief moments of reflection in the frenzy of this album though. However whenever this is the case, you are thrown back in to the madness at a seemingly even higher level of intensity. A prime example of this being the ending of 'Don't Touch That Dial' in to the following song 'Breakers'.
The final song which clocks in at just over 16 minutes is the highlight of the album. It's a culmination of everything you have just experienced in the previous nine tracks. Halfway through, there is another pause to find your feet, before an incredible climatic ending which features a blistering solo.
'Heck' played 'Instructions' in full on it's release date at 'Rescue Rooms' in Nottingham. The intensity of the album was not only replicated live but somehow increased further. You find yourself not knowing where to look as members of the band attempt to cover every square inch of venues including behind the bar, on the balcony, in the middle of a mosh pit or hanging from any structure available.
Overall, this is an excellent debut album full of raw aggression as well as technical proficiency from a band who are unmissable live. This isn't over...
