H.E.A.T is a Swedish hard rock group that was formed in Upplands Väsby in 2007, when the prior bands Dream and Trading Fate merged. The band's heavy sound is strongly influenced by past melodic rock groups such as Whitesnake, with H.E.A.T having supported musical acts such as Scorpions.[1] Between autumn 2015 to summer 2017, the group focused entirely on writing and recording songs. Into the Great Unknown was released in 2017 via earMUSIC.[2] H.E.A.T released H.E.A.T II in 2020, and Force Majeure in 2022 after reuniting with original vocalist Kenny Leckremo.

H.E.A.T.
H.E.A.T's current lineup from left to right: Don Crash, Jona Tee, Kenny Leckremo, Dave Dalone, and Jimmy Jay
H.E.A.T's current lineup from left to right: Don Crash, Jona Tee, Kenny Leckremo, Dave Dalone, and Jimmy Jay
Background information
OriginUpplands Väsby, Sweden
GenresHard rock, AOR, heavy metal
Years active2007–present
Labels
MembersJona Tee
Jimmy Jay
Don Crash
Kenny Leckremo
Dave Dalone
Past membersErik Grönwall
Eric Rivers
Websiteheatsweden.com

History

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The band were signed to Peter Stormares record label StormVox, and in 2008 the debut album H.E.A.T was released. The second album, titled Freedom Rock, came in 2010 on the same record label.

In 2011, they signed with GAIN music (Sony) and they also signed a new management, Hagenburg management.

In 2007, they were an opening act to Toto, and the following year they were the opening act to Sabaton and Alice Cooper, as well as performed at the Sweden Rock Festival that year. They were also awarded with the Årets nykomlingar award, an award given out by the Swedish radio station P4 Dist for the best new artist of the year, as voted by the listeners.

In 2009, the band played at the Melodifestivalen 2009, the Swedish qualifier to the annual Eurovision Song Contest, making it to the final round with the song "1000 Miles". The band have also toured around Europe as an opening act to Edguy in January 2009. Freedom Rock was ranked in the top 10 AOR/Melodic Rock albums of 2010 by Classic Rock Magazine. In July 2010 Kenny Leckremo announced he was leaving the band. Leckremo suffered from a genetic heart condition that caused his heart to beat extremely fast and it was causing him to have to step off stage to catch his breath. He would later undergo an operation to correct this condition but it was years after he had already left the band.[3] Leckremo was replaced by Erik Grönwall later that year.

H.E.A.T released their third studio album, Address the Nation, on 28 March 2012. The first single from the album was "Living on the Run". It was the first album with new singer and was featured in many of the top 10 list of music sites around the internet.[4] It also received a review of 98% on Melodicrock.com.[5]

2014 saw the return of the much anticipated new album Tearing Down the Walls, and in October 2014 the band headlined the last ever Firefest concert at Rock City in Nottingham, England.[6]

In early October 2016, guitar player Eric Rivers announced his departure from the band, and almost two weeks later it was announced that former guitar player Dave Dalone was replacing him – and therefore returning to the band since departing in 2013.

H.E.A.T released their fifth studio album, Into the Great Unknown, on 20 September 2017. The album saw the return of former guitarist Dave Dalone, who rejoined the band after the departure of Eric Rivers in 2016. Dave Ling of Classic Rock Magazine published the following quote in his review of Into the Great Unknown: "H.E.A.T. have just made the most complete album of their career. Watch their rise continue."

H.E.A.T released H.E.A.T II on 21 February 2020. The band had to postpone many tour dates until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 30 October 2020, the band announced via their official Facebook page that original singer Kenny Leckremo has rejoined the band replacing Erik Grönwall who was pursuing other projects and later joining Skid Row. In 2022, the new lineup released their new album Force Majeure, their first with Leckremo since 2010's Freedom Rock. In March 2023 H.E.A.T released a standalone single entitled "Freedom" on their YouTube channel.[7]

Members

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H.E.A.T performing in Madrid in 2014. From left to right: Jona Tee, Jimmy Jay, Eric Rivers, Don Crash, and Erik Grönwall.

Current members

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  • Jimmy Jay – bass guitar, backing vocals (2007–present)
  • Jona Tee – keyboards, backing vocals (2007–present)
  • Don Crash – drums (2007–present), backing vocals (2013–present)
  • Dave Dalone – guitar, backing vocals (2007–2013, 2016–present)
  • Kenny Leckremo – lead vocals (2007–2010, 2020–present)

Former members

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  • Eric Rivers (Erik Hammarbäck) – guitar, backing vocals (2007–2016)
  • Erik Grönwall – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica (2010–2020)

Touring members

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  • Erik Modin - drums, backing vocals (2023)[8][9]

Timeline

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Discography

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References

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  1. ^ "H.e.a.t releases their new studio album 'Tearing Down the Walls'". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Into the Great Unknown by H.e.a.t on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  3. ^ "H.E.A.T interview - Kenny Leckremo - Force Majeure, him rejoining the band, and more! (2022)". Youtube. 6 August 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Address The National Number One CD of The Year".
  5. ^ "Address The National 98%". Archived from the original on 28 January 2013.
  6. ^ "H.E.A.T Headline Friday at Firefest 2014".
  7. ^ "Freedom - H.E.A.T". Youtube. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Instagram post by H.E.A.T • Aug 25, 2023". Instagram. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Instagram post by Erik Modin • Sep 25, 2023". Instagram. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
General sources
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