Welcome to the West Coast
May 2020
My first experience of European Metal Festivals was an amazing one. In June 2017, I was lucky enough to try my hand at Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium. Dessel is perfectly located to attract a diverse selection of fans from Belgium, France, Holland and Germany. It also appears to be the heartland of an incredible hardcore scene, which up to that point was mostly undiscovered in the UK.
I first became aware of Lionheart while attending GMM. The bizarre thing was that Lionheart did not play at Graspop, but was arguably the best represented band at the festival based on the t-shirts worn over the weekend.
I was immediately impressed with their in-your-face brand of rhythmic hardcore. Strong, almost hip-hopesque vocals combined with stomping riffs and even heavier breakdowns. It was the kind of music that made you feel 10 feet tall while regarding the wrongs of the world with self-righteous disdain. Before leaving Belgium, I had bought a t-shirt, the ‘Welcome to the West Coast’ EP and the 2012 album, ‘Undisputed’.
Upon getting back home and doing more research, I discovered a sad fact. After several years of kicking ass and taking names on the US West Coast (and European) hardcore scene, Lionheart had decided to call it a day in 2016. It is a sad truth that a lot of talented musicians face every day, where your love of what you do, just does not pay enough of the bills.
Well, luckily the story did not end there. In late 2017, probably looking fondly back at what might have been, Lionheart returned with a new album, aptly called ‘Welcome to the West Coast II’. It was a triumphant return with all the ferocity of previous offerings, but a renewed drive to get it right this time. Stand-out track, ‘Trial by Fire’ says more about this band than any written piece could.
If the drive and will to succeed was apparent from that release, things ramped up considerably with the release of their latest album. ‘Valley of Death’, in one word is FANTASTIC!! ‘Valley of Death’ launches Lionheart into the upper echelons of bands in a genre which has seen a significant revival in recent years.
From the first to the last track, this album delivers everything you want from a modern hardcore album and more. Traditional hardcore rhythms and aggression, but combined with slower, heavier riffs to keep even the longhaired headbangers happy. The production value is also much improved from previous releases. ‘Valley of Death’ definitely announces the arrival of Lionheart as a band destined for great things. Two must hear tracks are ‘Burn’ and ‘Born Feet First’.
I was hoping to catch Lionheart Live in Europe again this summer, but it looks like COVID-19 has scuppered that, but I feel confident that, with this return, there will always be a next year.
For fans of: Hatebreed, Deez Nuts, Terror