The ‘80s was a decade of many things, and one of them was one where there were more Metal/Hard Rock leaning acts getting radio airplay. A time when heavier Rock-n-Roll dominated the airwaves, bands like Dokken, Ratt, Great White, and Whitesnake were leaders, but there were also so many others making their mark. Unfortunately, like anything else, the trend upward began to decline by the latter part of the ‘80s; with many bands put out by labels being a derivative of the next. Ultimately ushering in the Grunge Rock era, the tragedy is that some solid bands who started to pick up steam in the late ‘80s were abruptly left out in the cold. You could argue one of these was the Philadelphia based Heavens Edge.
Formed back in 1987, Heavens Edge caught the attention of Columbia Records, leading them to sign on with the label and release their self-titled debut in 1990. An album that actually is really good, it reached number 141 on The Billboard 200, and included the popular single “Skin to Skin” which is still spun to this day on SiriusXM’s HairNation. However, as alluded to, this was a twilight period for this brand of Hard Rock with bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam taking over the scene. Unfortunately this created roadblocks for bands like Heavens Edge. Thankfully they did not give up, but it would not be until 1998 when they put out another record with Some Other Place, Some Other Time; an album actually slated for release much earlier, and is also quite good.
Since those days Heavens Edge has done some shows here and there, but it took many of those who have remained loyal to them by surprise when the announcement came that a new album was in the works. Officially announced back in March of 2023, the new album, Get It Right, was to be put out by Frontiers Music Srl; a label who does a great job of releasing music from artists such as Winger and Toto. Promoted with the lead single “What Could Have Been,” which was released on March 22nd, this set the stage for the entire new album’s arrival on May 12th.
Heavens Edge’s first new album to hit the public in 25 very long years, Get It Right is the work of original members Reggie Wu (guitars, keyboards), Mark Evans (vocals), David Rath (drums), and Steven Parry (guitars), along with bassist Jaron Gulino (Tantric, Lynch Mob), who joined the band after the tragic passing of original bassist George G.G. Guidott back in 2019. Coming together, they put together 10 tracks worthy of an album that became Get It Right. Produced by the band themselves, with additional assistance from the Emmy nominated Jacob Bunton, you can sense that blood, sweat, and tears was put into each of these songs.
Well-written, featuring heaviness and melody, it sounds like a Hard Rock record of the past, but with a modern sensibility that could appeal to even a younger audience. That said, some of the best moments of this collection include the irresistible “Gone Gone Gone” and “Beautiful Disguise,” but also “Had Enough,” “Raise ‘Em Up,” as well as “Dirty Little Secret.” Each marvelously produced Hard Rock, with Evans’ voice shining brightly, some of the key aspects that add extra layers include the backing vocals of Wu and Parry, matched with well-placed/executed guitar solos.
Did anyone except new music from Heavens Edge after all this time? Probably not, but Get It Right is proof that bands can continue a story that seemingly ceased far too quickly. Furthermore, it is evident that Heavens Edge still has something to offer and it is in the form of some really great songs that should be heard. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Get It Right 4 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment