Heavy Pettin – ‘4 Play’
Back in the 1980’s Heavy Pettin were one of the hottest bands around, brilliant songs and arena support tours regularly under their belt. Recently reformed, they still have the spirit and the chops to take on the world and this four track EP ably demonstrates why they were so feted thirty years ago.
With founding members, vocalist Stephen ‘Hamie’ Hayman and guitarist Gordon Bonnar at the helm, the band are as tight, melodic and gritty as ever, each song the perfect mix of music and shine.
Get Back to You’ instantly reminds you just why you loved them in the first place, a hook filled delight graced by Hamie’s distinctive vocals and along with ‘Tell Me Why’ you can’t help but marvel at their uncanny knack of writing great commercial AOR that rocks hard. ‘Who We Are’ is insistent, unstoppable and full of diamond cutting guitarwork, crushing drums, throbbing bass and utterly committed vocals, a declaration of intent.
The EP closes with the lighter waving power ballad ‘Hard to Hold’ and it ticks all the boxes you could hope for, with a particularly fine solo from Gun guitar slinger Dave Davo Aitken adding the cherry on the cake. A much anticipated and welcome return for the Scottish giant killers.
Review by Paul Monkhouse for MPM
