Heart In Hand – Almost There

Releasedate: 04-02-2013; Label: Siege of Amida
By: Thorsten Hendriks

Heart in Hand has been in existence since 2008 and they originally come from the Bournemouth/Southampton, UK. Their music could be classed as melodic hardcore (which they self proclaim) – but I would leave that up to the listener.
“Almost There” is Heart in Hand’s second album on the “Siege of Amida Records” label after releasing their debut album “Only Memories” in 2011. However early 2009 Heart In Hand self released a six track debut EP “Heart In Hand”, which was well received by the public, witnessing the number of plays the tracks reached on their MySpace site.

This new album contains 13 songs and the beginning of the album sounds very promising. The first song is more of an 2 minute intro and doesn’t flow straight into the second track “Almost There” which sounds a quite agressive. This agressive theme continues into the third song “Home/Sick” and it seems that the musicians are using their band and songs to get rid of potted up frustration and anger.
The album touches on issues that have affected the band and especially their vocalist Charlie Holmes’s personal life. The title of the new album ‘Almost There’ expresses the bands feelings towards the last year and the progress they have made in their music and friendships. After loosing drummer Duncan Andrews in 2011 Heart In Hand joined up with ex-‘The Eyes Of A Traitor’ drummer Sam Brennan who became a fully fledged member of the band and together created this new album.

The musical arrangement of the songs on this album is very well written and composed but unfortunately singer Charlie Holmes ruins it for me. His singing is merely shouting in anger and it is virtually inaudible what the words are. On all the songs he sounds the same, surely he can do much more with his voice?
Song 4 “Vows” is a bit of an interlude and starts really soft and mellow until you abruptly are taken to song 5 “Sleeping Alone” where the loud guitars and drums take over as well as the singer’s voice – this trend continues for the next 7 songs. The last song “Latter” again is quite tranquil and instrumental.

Heart In Hand went out on tour in Europe with “Miss May I”, “Bleed From Within” and “Texas In July” in December 2012, following this up with a headline album release tour early 2013.

Line up:
Charlie Holmes – Vocals
Carl Martin – Bass
Ed Hartwell – Guitar
Ollie Wilson – Guitar
Sam Brennan – Drums

Links:
Heart in Hand Facebook
Heart in Hand Youtube
Heart in Hand MySpace