HECK, Nottingham’s answer to the 2010’s hardcore punk scene, have had a career almost as violently unpredictable as their music and performances are. After announcing their disappearance without any explanation back in 2017, the band would take to the stage at ArcTanGent Festival for the last time… apparently. But just like all great breakups – think LCD Soundsystem, Guns n Roses, or maybe even the Spice Girls – they probably won’t last as long as you may think. The band announced a one-off show at 2000 Trees Festival in July, then again fell into radio silence. Now, finally, another show. This time at the legendary Underworld in Camden. Set to take place on December 2^nd, you can bag tickets to the “one night only” show here.

Have that.https://t.co/ldY1kcuZys pic.twitter.com/LOAtMfuOTU

— HECK (@abandcalledHECK) September 2, 2022

HECK’s history has been no stranger to publicity in the few years they were in the public eye. In 2015, the group were sued by Japanese film company Toho over their original band name, “Baby Godzilla”. Obviously, it’s hard to argue the case when they own the copyright to a character literally called “Baby Godzilla” (or Godzilla Junior in a few places, but the point remains the same) so they became HECK to avoid the lawsuit causing any real damage. Once the change settled, they released their debut LP Instructions. The album was particularly reminiscent of early Dillinger Escape Plan, or even some more grindcore-esque names like Napalm Death. But the timeline didn’t extend much farther than that. The split came the following year, and no one really knows why.

The band’s return this time around seems to have come with even less chatter than the previous. “It means the damn world that so many of you are still here for this band. Thank you for your patience. Smashing will resume this Friday. Big love to one and all.” Reads the band’s returning statement for 2000 Trees. After 5 years off, the wordless surprise return goes to show that some things aren’t really meant to change. No answers. All we can do at this point is hope that some more information comes to light. Why did they go? Why are they back? Does this mean there’s new music? Will we hear it? We may never know.

We may never go beyond what we have here. Odd one-off shows popping up every now and then. The prospect of new music seems to have been squashed after nothing new was even alluded to at the previous show. Maybe things will change.