Reviews

Album Review: Rotten Romance by Bloody Heels

By Taylor Cameron / June 9, 2022

The Latvian hard rockers, Bloody Heels, are back with their third studio album, Rotten Romance, following up their Frontiers Debut, Ignite the Sky. Stepping things up a notch by experimenting with diverse sounds, while staying true to their ‘80s hard rock-soaked tones. Rotten Romance is an exciting change for the band and will please the hard-core fans and new fans alike.

The album kicks off with the first single “Dream Killers”. Harry Rivers (guitar) chugs his way through the intro before Vicky White’s (vocals) classic scream fills the song. The verses coated in ‘80s/90’s metal influences, the band add an interesting contrast to the song with a melodic chorus, keeping the listeners on their toes right out of the gate. “Dream Killers” is the perfect introduction to the album, setting the tone for what’s to come.

The title track “Rotten Romance” is up next, the classic Bloody Heels sound written all over it. Melodic guitars paired with a heavy drumbeat, delivered by Gus Hawk, pair nicely with White’s unique vocals. This sound is also present in the tracks “When the Rain and I Meet”, a goosebump worthy ballad that has a bluesy 1988 Cinderella tone to it, and “Burning Bridges”, a straight-ahead hard rocker with remanence of the early Bloody Heels sound.

Experimenting with heavier tones, songs like “The Velvet”, “Hour of Sinners”, “Mirror Mirror” and “Crow’s Lullaby” will please the ears of heavy metal fans. While not straying too far from their known hard rock sound Bloody Heels get a little dirty on these tracks, bringing a more raw and heavier tones to the plate. Experimenting with bass (Gunn Everett) driven tracks such as “Mirror Mirror” and a heavier take on a ballad with “The Velvet”, Bloody Heels bring something to this album that will have the attention of both hard rock and heavy metal fans.

Completing the diverse sound of this album with modern/alternative heavy rock tones, tracks “Distant Memory, “Angels Crying” and “Oblivion” give us a taste of the innovative sounds the quartet bring to the rock genre. Mixing a classic 80s hard rock sound with something new and exciting. The Latvian rockers do not disappoint with this album, showing off their true musicality skills with diversity in every track.

(Photo by: Sandra Garanca)

“Rotten Romance” beautifully showcases the growth these four powerful musicians have done throughout their career, keeping the audience on their toes with each track. A solid album from start to finish, the talent of this band not wavering once. Bloody Heels are a force to be reckon with and if Rotten Romance is to tell us anything, it’s that this quartet is on a path of great success.

Track List:

Dream Killer

Rotten Romance

The Velvet

Distant Memory

Hour of Sinners

Mirror Mirror

When the Rain and I Meet

Crow’s Lullaby

Burning Bridges

Angels Crying

Oblivion

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1hALORLJzXgMqkeNI396Vg?si=iNv_1qNzRmqAnRu22Iih1Q

Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/bloodyheelsband/

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