Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

After two stunning E.P.’s it was only a matter of time before Heaven’s Basement released a debut album that matched the ferocity and desire that their presence on the rock scene demanded. That time has come and the obliterating and karmic ear assaulting result is the fantastic Filthy Empire.

Despite publicised line-up changes the transition between E.P. releases and this new album, it seems to have been an easy one and certainly the lead vocals appear to be in good hands in Aaron Buchanan as he rages, thunders and fumes against lots of humanity’s wrongs and ills.

From the burning flame on the cover which hides the wreck of a blazing city in the middle of its own hedonistic pyre to the screaming vocals and tight gripping guitar sounds, there is much to enjoy and take hold of in this album. It lets go of the strangled rigidity that rock has found itself in as the old guard, such as Iron Maiden, Magnum and Thunder for example still flew the rock flag marvellously high but wondered where the new guys were coming to take their mantle.  If Heaven’s Basement can keep up this type of aggressive, pounding and sensational sound then at least they will carry the flag forward.

There is an abundance of tracks that stand out as worthy of playing at an extremely high volume, in fact if the band were any louder themselves they would have a noise abetment order thrust upon them by more sensitive souls. Tracks such as Nothing Left To Lose, Lights Out In London and Heartbreaking Son Of A Bitch ooze this new and appreciative rock attitude and crackle with energy that transfers brilliantly from their live set to the confines of the studio.

Filthy Empire is a remarkable album; it certainly adds weight to that adage that the rock genre in Britain at least is in very safe hands as the older more established bands start to wind down and give way to the new breed.

Ian D. Hall