H.E.A.T.

Formed in 2007 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, H.E.A.T has become a staple in the hard rock, AOR, and melodic rock scenes. The band made a splash at their debut performance at Summer Breeze Open Air Brazil and is gearing up for their return at the 2025 edition of the event. With Kenny Leckremo (vocals), Dave Dalone (guitar), Jimmy Jay (bass), Don Crash (drums), and Jona Tee (keyboards), the band is currently promoting their 2023 EP “Extra Force,” the follow-up to their seventh studio album, “Force Majeure” (2022).

Kenny Leckremo, who provided vocals on the first two albums, “H.E.A.T” (2008) and “Freedom Rock” (2010), left the band during its peak years. In 2009, they performed in Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s qualifier for Eurovision, making it to the final with “1000 Miles.” During this period, the band also toured Europe alongside the late Andre Matos’ solo project.

“Freedom Rock” featured the hit single “Beg Beg Beg,” which quickly climbed the Swedish charts, as well as “Black Night,” featuring Tobias Sammet (Edguy, Avantasia), highlighting the band’s AOR influences. Following Leckremo’s departure after a show on July 27, 2009, the band quickly secured a replacement. By August 21, they had confirmed Erik Grönwall, winner of Sweden’s Idols, as their new frontman. Grönwall’s debut on “Address the Nation” (2012) kept the flame of ’80s hard rock alive, with standout tracks like “Living on the Run.”

“Tearing Down the Walls” (2014) further solidified H.E.A.T as hard rock’s latest sensation, continuing the momentum from previous releases while keeping their feet on the ground. Singles like “Mannequin Show” and tracks like “Inferno,” “We Will Never Die,” and “Enemy In Me” showcased the band pushing their boundaries while staying true to their roots. This was followed by their first live album, “Live in London” (2015).

A decade into their journey, the band took a bold step with “Into the Great Unknown” (2017). Dividing opinions, the album saw the band attempting to step out of their comfort zone, experimenting with more pop influences and adding a modern twist to their hard rock sound, with the help of producer Tobias Lindell.

2019’s “Live at Sweden Rock Festival” added a special flavor to their live performance catalog, recorded at the country’s biggest festival. If the band’s fusion of melodic rock, AOR, hard rock, and pop worked in the studio, it was even more explosive live. The band’s return to form came with “H.E.A.T II” (2020), an album quickly embraced by fans, featuring tracks that marked a return to their roots like “Rock Your Body,” “Rise,” “One By One,” and “Come Clean.”

However, the band faced challenges during the pandemic, with shows in Japan, the UK, and across Europe being canceled. To complicate matters further, Erik Grönwall was forced to leave the band due to health issues related to his leukemia treatment.

Then came the unexpected announcement on October 30, 2020: Kenny Leckremo was returning to the fold. He rejoined the band on “Force Majeure” and made his return to Brazil to rock out with the band at Summer Breeze Open Air Brazil. He’s set to do it again in 2025, rocking the stage at Bangers Open Air!