Heritage were from Sheffield. The same South Yorkshire metropolis which in the good old New Wave of British Heavy Metal days of the late 1970s/early 1980s spawned the likes of Def Leppard, Saxon, Chinawite, Geddes Axe and others.
However, Heritage wouldn’t last long. A single in 1981 and a solitary album in 1982 before they were gone. Another one album and out NWOBHM band – though what a good one as evidenced by that album – Remorse Code.
That single – Strange Place to Be and Misunderstood – showed that Heritage had the talent. Strange Place starts with a Mick Shrimpton style oddball drumming developing in to an excellent melodic rocker with a tasty hook and even tastier guitar whilst Misunderstood is more straight ahead and more of that tasty guitar.
A major line-up change followed with only guitarist Steve Johnson remaining the in quartet which would record the album. The incomers being Steve’s brother Fasker on bass, Steve Barratt on guitar and Pete Haliday on drums.
The resulting album being quite diverse in style. Very well put together songs each different from the other showing much musical ability – particularly the guitar work of Steve Johnson and Barratt not forgetting some solid drumming which holds it all together. Much more to Heritage than pumping out frantic riffs. They could do that, though were refined at the same time.
The opener and title track being a good example. A thumping short intro breaks out in a chugging, punchy melodic rocker with a big chorus and cutting solos. Next up is Attack Attack which a superb harder edged affair with some menace and more of the excellent fretwork from the two Steves.
Have a listen to Remorse Code and Attack Attack:
Endless Flight has more than a touch of a Thin Lizzy influence about it followed by For Good or Bad and Need You Today both of which are solid rockers well put together and performed with a bit of melody chucked in to the mix.
A refreshed version of the single is next up with the quirkiness and hook. Slipping Away and Change Your Mood edge in to ballad territory without losing any power. Rudy and the Zips is a bit of an offbeat instrumental before A Fighting Chance closes the album out on fine style.
Well – that is before the band’s earlier single appears as bonus tracks.
All in all Heritage had the chops if not the breaks. They could pump out the riffs, power with melody, vary their approach and had two super guitarists who are all over it in some style.
Alas, the band’s label went belly up and that was that. Pity.
Remorse Code has been reissued by High Roller Records and I suggest that if you can, you get your hands on a copy to give years ears a treat.