‘Instructions’ has been a long time coming for Heck but it was totally worth it. Check out what happened when our music writer Amber attended their album release show….
It was an honour to witness Heck’s album release show at Rescue Rooms in Nottingham last week, and hear what is an outstanding debut album performed in full with an audience, who had clearly backed the band from their first tours to that very day.
The album was released the day of the show, which meant I had it on repeat at work all day and then on the journey to Nottingham that evening. I was so excited to hear them play live and by the time the incredible Raketkanon had got our hearts pumping I was well and truly ready for ‘Instructions’.
‘Good As Dead’ from the get go had Matt flinging himself from a stack of monitors and parting the crowd with the mic lead. It was only fitting that the audience knew the drill- pass the mic stand back then the mic lead.
Heck are becoming more and more renowned for their wild on stage performances and it is incredible that their iconic debut comprises all this live energy into just ten tracks. Their musical dexterity, creative talent and raw power is pushing the boundaries of music and Heck deserve every second of praise not only for ‘Instructions’, but for the mark they have made on music.
Rescue Rooms proved to be the perfect venue for an album showcase. The balcony was rammed with family, that feared for the balcony hoping band and friends safety. A balcony, however, didn’t mean that they were going to miss out on any of Heck’s convulsive action.
Within all the raucous chaos ‘Instructions’ is an album that binds every band member together, conveying their originality perfectly.
‘I. See The Old Lady Decently II. Buried Although III. Amongst Those Left Are You’ was probably the best 16 minutes of my life (although that doesn’t say much for me!) it closed ‘Instructions’ and the release show with a passion that reflected everything Heck have to offer.
Despite all their lunacy Heck never stop thanking the crowd throughout, and it just highlights that not only is ‘Instructions’ pushing the boundaries of music but that these guys have fought hard for this album. As the set closed you could feel the emotion and gratitude in the room. I had the pleasure of talking to Jonny and Matt at Reading Festival last year and there was a strong sense of hestitation about releasing an album that to attend the album release show less than a year later was an honour.
Nothing you read will even begin to sum up this band or ‘Instructions’ until you hear it for yourself.
