After nearly four decades, Heavens Edge has decided to name an album after the city where everything started. Apparently Philadelphia was easier than trying to fit 40 years of hard rock onto the cover.
The Philly rock veterans will release Philadelphia on November 13 through Frontiers Music Srl. Along with the announcement comes the album’s first single, “What’s He Got,” and an accompanying music video.
The new record follows Get It Right and a return to stages in the United States and Europe, continuing a second chapter for a band whose history has included major-label success, personal tragedy, lengthy stretches away from the spotlight and an eventual return to making new music.
According to Heavens Edge, that history is exactly what gives Philadelphia its personality. The band describes the album as representing its 40 years together while offering more musical variety than anything it has previously recorded.
“We make music for the love of it, for those who have supported us over the years and for those just discovering us now,” the band says. “It’s never too late.”
“What’s He Got” keeps the premise considerably simpler. Built around longing for someone and wondering what it takes to get their attention, the band wanted an upbeat rock song that felt immediately familiar.
Their explanation: “Let’s not complicate things!”
Rock bands occasionally spend entire press releases explaining the deeper philosophical architecture of three guitar chords and a chorus. Heavens Edge appears comfortable simply admitting that sometimes a rock song should sound like a rock song.
Philadelphia was produced by the band with additional production from Jacob Bunton, mixed by Jay Ruston and mastered by Jens Dreesen. Other tracks include “LFG” and “Definite Maybe,” with the current lineup featuring vocalist Mark Evans, founding guitarists Reggie Wu and Steve Parry, drummer David Rath and bassist Jaron Gulino.
There’s plenty of history behind Heavens Edge, but Philadelphia isn’t being presented as a nostalgia exercise. For a band that has already disappeared and found its way back, the album is more interested in what comes next.
Still, after 40 years, there’s nothing wrong with remembering where you came from.
Philadelphia arrives November 13 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Information provided by Heavens Edge’s publicity team.