The Hero complex - head for the sun

The Hero Complex 

Head For The Sun
self-released; 2014

3.3 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

The Hero Complex is a band comprised of Rick Wilson (vocals), Jamie Ollerton (guitar), Bill Hughes (guitar), Josh Holgate (bass) and Rick Blackburn (drums) who recently released a three-song EP entitled Head For The Sun.

They describe their music as “anthemic” rock, which is what I would say is a somewhat accurate description. The “anthemic” rock is also accessible and tends to have mainstream tendencies. It’s a straightforward dose of rock that’s not exactly reinventing the wheel by any stretch of the imagination but occasionally shows potential from a band who seems to be in the embryonic stage and still looking for a signature sound. 

The first track on the EP entitled “Kaleidoscopic” is the highlight of the three songs. Some of the band’s finest moments are within the first minute of the song. The guitar parts coalesce and display creativity. When the chorus comes the band hits their distortion pedals and delivers a fairly memorable vocal melody. Wilson sings, “Living in my kaleidoscopic love, / Painting over the holes in my soul, / Living in my kaleidoscopic love.” The song is solid overall but also felt a bit familiar in terms of structure. I kept thinking of the Foo Fighters when the chorus hit. 

The second track “Waves” is the most commercially accessible, mainstream sounding song of the three. It’s a grandiose, rock ballad that brings to mind a band like Creed. Of the three this song seemed like it was trying too hard to appeal to a  large demographic.

The band gets back on track with the closer “Bones.” This is a hard hitting tune with some solid guitar riffs although the guitars seemed a bit undefined in the mix at times. “Bones” is the band at their heaviest and also gives them a chance to flex their technical muscles.

Head For The Sun is a decent start for the band but doesn’t quite build a solid foundation for them to grow from. The first track was the strongest and the most original and I hope to see them elaborate on that style. If I were their manager I would tell them to stay away from the overly dramatic mainstream stuff as we already have a enough of those type of bands in the world.

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