Album review: HEAT OF DAMAGE – Open Fire

February 26th, 2016 by david.wilson

Self Release (Release date 01.10.15)

Heat Of Damage hail from the Johnny Cash-endorsed Folsom in California, although not from the penitentiary as far as I know. The band have been together for a few years and this is their debut album. Hard rock is their chosen genre and for a debut it is impressive stuff.

The disc gets of to an explosive start with the opening track ‘Watch You Burn’ which brings to mind the likes of Trivium and Machine Head. Heavy but shot through with melody, the song sets the scene well for what follows. What does follow is ‘Judgement Day’ which again rocks hard with an excellent vocal from David Haug augmented by the odd hardcore vocal rumble from bassist Jared Easter.

Over the course of the 10 tracks on offer the band do try and mix things up with a bit of pop punk on a couple of tracks but for me the guys are at their best when in full on mode with everything turned up to 11.

What does impress throughout, given that this is a debut record, is the quality of the song writing and structure, these are well crafted songs, and the high standard of playing throughout. Drummer Julian Bohland never misses a beat and thrashes away at the kit relentlessly on all tracks whilst lead guitarist Nick Lassalette tears up and down the fretboard like a man possessed.

After listening through the album I was then stunned to read on the accompanying biography that the four guys in the band are only 18 years old and are either still in senior school or have just entered college. On the strength of this record I would say stick with the music, keep to the heavier path and you have every chance of breaking big. Definitely a name to watch out for in the future. ****

Review by David Wilson

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