Richard HolmesHeart Of A Coward – Deliverance (Century Media)
Genre: Metal
Big things are expected of Brit wrecking crew Heart Of A Coward.
In the six years since their inception, the Milton Keynes quintet have released three full-lengths and have some high profile festival appearances under their belts.
And there’s certainly a market for their streetwise tech assault on both sides of the Atlantic.
Deliverance comes out of the blocks kicking and screaming with Hollow, an abrasive four minutes of titanium plated, 21st century metal, with drums and guitars syncing up spectacularly, and vocalist Jamie Graham spitting liquid fire.
It’s an anthem in the making – as is the multi-textured Mouths of Madness – where Graham demonstrates his versatility to great effect.
There’s even a hint of Killing Joke’s Jaz Coleman in his voice when Deliverance’s more melodic passages kick in. Not all the album reaches those heights though: Anti-Life veers into lacklustre, angst-ridden nu-metal turf and the band occasionally fall below their own high standards by resorting to mindless bludgeon.
That said, there are enough gems on this opus to make it shine, and to see Heart Of A Coward confirm their status as one of the UK’s best prospects.
RUSHONROCK RATED: 7/10 Heart Beat