Review: Collateral, Mason Hill + H.E.A.T

The Rescue Rooms, October 17th, 2022

Reviewer/Photographer: Dan Mann

Well it was back to Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms for what was sure to be a stellar night!

Starting off the evening were Collateral, a band very much on an upward trajectory, having just released ‘Re-Wired‘ a re-working of their debut with guest musicians. Yes I’m totally biased when it comes to Collateral, I always enjoy seeing the guys play and catching up for a chin wag.

They certainly didn’t disappoint, with a capacity crowd singing along the band were obviously enjoying themselves immensely, although guitarist Todd Winger was somewhat under the weather, not that it stopped him laying down the riffs to the band’s catchy tunage! With frontman Angelo Tristan giving it his all, deftly backed by the band’s engine room of Ben Atkinson on drums and Jack Bentley-Smith on bass. Even guitarist Louis Sebastian Malagodi cracked a smile!

(Click on photos for full size)

Next up were Glaswegians Mason Hill. This is only the second time I’ve seen the band and first time in a smaller venue. Alas they didn’t get off to a good start due to technical issues with mics and monitors, plus the lighting was rather lacking, I was half expecting guitarist James Bird to be accompanyed by Orcs! Once frontman Scott Taylor got into his stride the band settled into a tight set, again with the crowd eager to be entertained.

(Click on photos for full size)

After a wait while monitors and support band drumkit was removed etc the sound of ‘The Heat Is On‘ came over the PA. Yes it was time for headliners H.E.A.T to bring their high octane set to the eagar audience.

This is only the second time seeing the band with original singer Kenny Leckremo, a man who has the misison of ‘winning over’ those in the crowd who maybe have only seen the band with Eric Grönwall. Let’s face it, it’s somewhat of a daunting task fronting H.E.A.T after the pocket stick of dynamite that’s Eric, however Kenny not only takes on the challenge full pelt, he grabs the crowd by the collective throat with his energetic stage presance and powerful voice.

If asked who’d I recommend to someone as a live band to catch, H.E.A.T would certanily be on the list. The flawless ease they display, the obvious enjoyment of not only playing but simply entertaining audiences very much evident.

Another fantastic performance which drew a superb night’s entertainment to a close.