Review Summary: 'Almost There' makes Heart in Hand one of the most melodic hardcore bands in the UK at the moment
Heart In Hand are a hardcore band from the UK. 'Almost There' is produced by Pedro Texeira (Bury Tomorrow) and is the follow up to 2010 release 'Only Memories'.
Heart In Hand have written some great lyrics here and sing them with so much emotion and passion throughout the 45 minutes. If the vocals of lead singer Charlie Holmes wasn't enough, they have also enlisted the help of some guest vocalists. Mikey Chapman and Sam Douglas from one of my favourite bands at the moment 'Mallory Knox' bring catchy cleans to the party, while Dani Winter Bates of Bury Tomorrow brings harsh screamed vocals.
“Proposal” has a smooth guitar intro that leads into the title track “Almost There”. This song starts out with the usual punk double time speed and then some decent yelled vocals of Charlie. The songs gradually breaksdown and slows things down to almost Angels and Airwaves nicely timed space dynamics. “Home/sick” is next and its straight in your face with catchy guitar work and Holmes’ lyrics screamed with anguish and pain. “Vows” goes back to the space theme with some nice calmed symphony strings giving the listener a chance to absorb the album.
“Sleeping Alone” is a fast paced aggressive song with some great breakdowns. The band take the song right to the end before giving the listener the chance to truly rock out. If you love the intensity of bands such as Bring me the Horizon, you will love this song. “Cuts and Bruises” is an experimental song using off tempo guitar tones and some fine time signatures while also incorporating the musical interlude sounds experienced between tracks.
“Maybe” is my favourite song. Its a metal song that goes hard straight from the off before we hear the quality singing of Mickey and Sam from Mallory Knox just after the minute mark giving the chorus an almost new Funeral For a Friend like tone.
“Old Tattoos” starts off slow with some forlorn guitar tones then the song comes alive with Holmes furious vocals over the intense music. “Life Goes On” continues the hardcore theme although this time the lyrics invite the listener to sing along. This song has the best breakdwown on the whole album at around the 2 and a half minute mark. A live favourite for sure.
“Broken Lights” is a decent progressive metal song that evolves into a hardcore song once the drums kick in. “Our Atlantic” sounds like a mix of Pantera and Deftones. Quite a mix on this song with the band switching between a ballad and hardcore with distorted screaming, but it works well.
“Direction” shows that Heart in Hand are a clever band. This song is relentless, the music is punishing rock with some great riffs and a perfect ending. “Latter” is a intensified musical epilogue making the listener appreciate what they have heard over the last 45 minutes. The mellow interludes throughout the album make it stand out from similar bands.
'Almost There' is a emotive album with some great breakdowns, catchy lyrics, guitar shredding heavy riffs and amazing drumming making Heart in Hand one of the most melodic hardcore bands in the UK at the moment.
