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Good Morning Apocalypse

    
       
       
       
     
             
Heaven Below are a heavy rock band from the USA formed in 2007 releasing their debut album in 2009. The bands second album was released in 2012 and after four years in the making, 'Good Morning Apocalypse' has now been released.    
             
'Good Morning Apocalypse' is a concept album based on the story of Dr. Faust, a tragedy by Christopher Marlow in the sixteenth century. Read the full background to the Dr. Faust story at the official Heaven Below website here, and then sit back and enjoy the journey as the story unfolds across sixty minutes of hard hitting, sharp edged heavy rock. The album also features cameo appearances by four big names from the world of metal and rock ... Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys/Broken Teeth/Watchtower), Kobra Paige (Kobra And The Lotus), Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O./Accept) and Lita Ford (singer/songwriter/guitarist). The album is packed to the rafters with punchy and bombastic songs that will keep you entertained as the story unfolds. 'Nefarious Angels' rocks the album into life with energy, intensity and a catchy feel good vibe. The sing along ability that oozes out of 'Renegade Protest Movement' is addictive, with the buzzing, chugging rhythm one that will have your feet tapping and head nodding in appreciation.    
             
A blunter, more in your face attitude and a nod towards the progressive genre sees 'Follow Me Under' swagger into view and shuffle its way through, paving way for the hard rocking 'Devilina And The Damage Done' to cut its way through the airways in a mildly aggressive nature. 'Nightfall Comes To Life' with a venomous vocal delivery and a foot stomping rhythm so heavy that if you stand in its way you will be crushed. Heaven Below blend heavy rock with melodic hard rock, adding a dash of progressive rock, to create catchy and memorable songs. With an upturn in energy and tempo, the high paced 'Killing The Deadman' is a furious flurry of rampant riffing and galloping rhythms...the first song off the album that demands "proper" head banging. 'Running Under Satans Hand' is another step into the progressive rock genre and will brutally pummel and punish your senses with its hard hitting nature. An injection of pace sees 'Death battalion' rattle and rumble like a freight train as it relentlessly rolls on. Throughout the entire album, the vocal delivery has been consistently clean and clear, easy to understand and even easier to sing along to, such is the addictive vibe that is given off by every song.    
             
When I looked at the track list before playing the album, and saw a song titled 'Bonded By Blood', just for a few moments I thought that Heaven Below had covered the song by (American thrash metal icons) Exodus. But no, they haven't...'Bonded By Blood' by Heaven Below is a six minute plus journey of wandering guitars and relentless rhythms that will have you smiling wider than ever. 'Good Morning Apocalypse' is turning into a varied and interesting listen. Mid tempo, heavy guitars and a pounding, menacing rhythm sees 'Black Sunrise/War Of The Gods' stomp majestically into view and features the unique and unmistakable voice of Udo Dirkschneider, former singer of German power metal pioneers Accept. 'Among The Wolves/Worldwide Suicide' is a bold statement of willingness to experiment with their sound, as the band introduce the vocal talents of operatic soprano Mary Whiteman. Pounding rhythms and blistering guitar work, 'Among The Wolves/Worldwide Suicide' is a varied and versatile song. Bringing the album to a close is the mellower, more soulful 'I Would Do It All Again/Burials At Sunset'. Ambling along at a slow to mid tempo pace, the album is brought to an end, and if you have listened carefully to the lyrics of every song, then you will have learned a piece of history from over five hundred years ago...If you haven't, I suggest you hit the replay button and listen to the album again . . .    
             
Overall, bombastic heavy rock, addictive and memorable for all the right reasons, Heaven Below have delivered a sparkling album of hard hitting rock.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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