HEART OF A COWARD

UNDERWORLD, LONDON

It’s record release day for HEART OF A COWARD, and the Milton Keynes-based quintet celebrate their excellent new album, The Disconnect, being unleashed on the world with a show that kills dead any thoughts that this is a band that have seen better days. In fact, new vocalist Kaan Tasan is actually the most engaging live presence that the band have ever had, cajoling a near-to-sold-out room to bang their heads to HOAC’s seemingly endless supply of rubbery, groove-filled riffs.

His bandmates seem to have been inspired by the extra level of energy too, as they grin and move with their audience from beginning to end. Whether it’s on early material such as the always ferocious Hollow or on brand new songs such as set-opener Drown In Ruin, Kaan has clearly injected a new kind of life into Heart Of A Coward. In the end he invites everyone up onstage and one of the most chaotic stage invasions the Underworld has ever seen ensues, with bassist Vishal Khetia nonchalantly moseying his way over to the sound desk at one point. Whether you’re on the floor or in the band, everyone is having a good time tonight.