Review: Heavy Pettin – Rock Generation
Silver Lining Music (October 24th, 2025)
Reviewer: Grant Foster
Their first new album since, ooh, 1989.
Vocalist and founding member – Stephen ‘Haymie’ Hayman leads his troops – guitarists Dave ‘Davo’ Aitken and Richie ‘St James’ Dews, bassist Dave ‘Boycee’ Boyce and drummer Mick ‘The Wizard’ Ivory into rock battle.
Are these nicknames an initiation ceremony, I wonder?!
Singer Hamie these days sounds like a cross between Ian Astbury and Biff Byford, but I doubt if he has sounded better than he does here.
First up. ‘Rock Generation‘ is a fine way to start. A call to arms, a worldwide celebration. The huge chorus means this should be a cracker live.
A tolling bell and we’re into ‘Faith Healer‘. A hypnotic riff a la Zakk Wylde and the guitar solo is nailed with aplomb. This is a recurring theme throughout the album. The solos are a real high point throughout.
Dave Boyce’s bass leads into ‘Brother Sister‘. Immediately this song catches you with its easy on the ear refrain and Hamie’s urgent delivery. It’s a real banger as the youth of today might say.
‘Oblivion‘ is a more melodic journey, but has enough muscle not to be sappy. It has ‘single’ written all over it.
‘Mother Earth‘ is HP’s Saxon moment without a doubt. Saying that, I think the Barnsley boys would be proud to have tune such as this in their catalogue. A tale of what we are doing to our planet and it ain’t pretty.
Following that up with ‘X Rated‘ is a good move. This is your pre drinking song for the weekend. A throw back to the Sunset Strip, or the pubs around the long lost Glasgow Apollo. All jacked up and they’re ready to go! One hell of an old school ending as well.
‘Bullets and Pills‘ has some clever lyrics about how if one don’t get you, the other one will. It’s another example of how well HP marry toughness and melody.
‘Line In The Sand‘ offers hints of Metallica in the rhythm. Then comes along a beauty of a chorus.
A good thudding track up next. Sometimes the easiest things are the hardest to pull off well. ‘Live Ur Best Life‘ does that. Are we living our best life, each and every day?
Album closer ‘This Life‘ is initially a bit of a stop start affair but leads into a high order chugger.
Heavy Pettin really have put some hard graft into this album and it shows.
The only other outfit that brings together the muscle and melody in equal measure, is the current line up of the Tygers of Pan Tang. Tour anyone?!
My only real beef is down to the production and mixing. Even very good songs can be affected if either or both aren’t right.
To my ears and I have to reiterate it’s only my opinion, the guitars of Dave and Richie sound too low in the mix. Their lead work has been well thought out and is beautifully played, but I’d have pushed their faders up a notch.
The same goes for Boycee’s bass.
That aside, Heavy Pettin have probably made the best album of their career here. It would be a shame not to hear it live or on the road.
Tracklist:
- Rock Generation
- Faith Healer (Kill My Demons)
- Brother Sister
- Oblivion
- Mother Earth
- X – Rated
- Bullets and Pills
- Line in the Sand
- Live UR Best Life
- This Life
Line-up:
Stephen “Hamie” Hayman – vocals
Dave “Davo” Aitken – guitars, backing vocals
Richie “St. James” Dews – guitars, backing vocals
David “Boycee” Boyce – bass
Mick “The Wizard” Ivory – drums
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