H.E.A.T melted Tokyo
Already summer-hot Tokyo got even hotter when H.E.A.T returned to perform in front of its Japanese fans.
H.E.A.T at Asakusa Kagekijo Theater, Tokyo, Japan on 26th June 2025
Having seen H.E.A.T on several occasions here in Japan, I knew this melodic hard rock band from Sweden would deliver a great show. Most recently, I saw them last summer at the Skogsröjet festival in Sweden. They were great then, but this evening in Tokyo, the loyal and supportive Japanese crowd carried the band to another level. What a performance!
The band was founded in 2007 in the Stockholm suburb of Upplands Väsby, home to Europe, Yngwie Malmsteen, Therion and Candlemass. H.E.A.T’s eighth studio album, “Welcome to the Future”, was released in April. With a large back catalogue of songs and plenty of road miles as a touring band, H.E.A.T is now a tight rock’n’roll machine delivering every time.
While the band has had some line-up changes over the years, the current line-up consists of all original members – Don Crash on drums, Jona Tee on keyboards, Kenny Leckremo on vocals, Dave Dalone on guitar and Jimmy Jay on bass. In 2020, high-profile lead vocalist Erik Grönwall left the band (and eventually ended up fronting American band Skid Row). That got me and other fans worried. But the fact that he was replaced by the band’s original singer Kenny Leckremo gave immediate relief.
H.E.A.T kicked off the Tokyo show with a smoking hot version of “Disaster” from the new album, followed by the crowd favourite “Emergency” from the “Tearing Down the Walls” album. The 2025 version of Kenny has grown into a world-class frontman. There is a whiff of the 1983 version of Bruce Dickinson about his stage performance. The fact that Kenny was recently recruited by Tobias Sammet’s Avantasia is a testament to how good he has become. Meanwhile, the rest of the band has become tighter than a wetsuit.
The songs performed in Tokyo were a terrific collection of high-energy melodic hard rock of the best kind. From the knockout start, the band just kept delivering great song after great song throughout the show, including “Hollywood”, “Nationwide”, “Running to You”, “Beg, Beg, Beg“, “Bad Time for Love”, “Living on the Run”, “1,000 Miles”, “Back to the Rhythm”, “One by One” and, of course, ”A Shot at Redemption”.
Dave Dalone, who returned to the band in 2016 after a few years away, is an underrated guitarist. This evening, he had some technical issues, but he just kept going like the pro he is. The equipment might have failed him, but his talent didn’t.
When the H.E.A.T boys had completely melted Asakusa Kagekijo Theater’s stage with a splendid show, it was time to say goodbye. While we wait for H.E.A.T to return to Japan, at least we know that Kenny will be back with Avantasia in November.
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