I don’t know if I have missed something but I have never heard of a Hard Rock band that hails from Latvia before I got the reviewer’s link to Bloody Heels’ latest album. Formed in Riga back in 2012, the band – Vicky White (vocals), Harry Rivers (guitars), Gunn Everett (bass) and Gus Hawk (drums) – this band takes aim on the more sleazy yet melodic Hard Rock from the 80’s/90’s although the band is described as the missing link between Crashdïet and Crazy Lixx with some early W.A.S.P. and Kissin’ Dynamite thrown in. They released their debut E.P. Summer Nights in 2014 and their debut album Through Mystery back in 2017 and has since toured around Scandinavia, the Baltic States and Europe before signing up with Frontiers. Since this is my first encounter with the band, I have nothing previous to compare with but some online research told me that this album is a grittier affair than the previous more slick and polished records.
Bloody Heels opens the album with the title-track and the album’s second single. It’s an uptempo rocker that blends crunchy guitars, a rough attitude and a kicking beat with melodies filed under Melodic Rock. It’s a straight-forward, early 90’s Arena Rock belter with lots of energy and spark. That said, the tune fails to impress me because of the lack of real hooks or a chorus that sticks in my head – and I wouldn’t call it single-material either. It’s not bad but it never passes OK. Leading single “Criminal Mastermind” is better but not by much. It’s a rowdy and gritty rocker with a mid 80’s twist, quite heavy with good melodies and a nice punch. It actually reminds me some of Steel Panther, much because of singer White’s resemblance to said band’s singer Michael Starr. The chanted “Whoas” might work great in a live-situation though. All in all, a decent track.
The crunchy and fun-loving “No Matter” takes a stroll into the 80’s and brings on a bit of a Ratt vibe with an in-your-face attitude said band treated us with in their hey-day. With distinct melodies and a contagious hook reminiscent of Crazy Lixx, the track sure brings on some catchiness in the refrain which makes it the best track so far. An upbeat and melodic yet crunchy rocker. On a way rawer not, the sleazy “Sugar And Spice” goes into Guns N’Roses and Faster Pussycat territory mixed up with a early 90’s Arena Rock vibe where a band like Warrant dwelled. It’s a dirty rocker with bouncy groove and a live-friendly outlook – a song like this would without a doubt find its crowd a sunny noon on your festival of choice. Good one.
Opening with a groovy, funked-up bass-line, the uptempo third single “Farewell To Yesterday” is a riff-happy, crunchy and robust tune that is carried on a big, fat rhythm. The changing of moods with the aggressive and hard verses to the more melodic and even slick chorus creates a dynamic source which the tune clearly benefits from. A catchy piece that I embraced by first listen that’s clearly good but one step away from great. The mid-paced rocker “Black Swan” is the latest single and my personal favorite on the album. With an in-your-face and intense groove and a swinging beat, lots of hooks and a floating melody arrangement, the tune won me over even before the distinct and catchy chorus came in. It might be a bit more laid-back than the previous tracks but who cares? This is a winner.
Showing its teeth while going for the throat, “Stand Your Ground” is an uptempo, punchy and in-your-face sleaze-rocker, rough and heavy with a clear nod towards Metal when it comes to the aggressive riffing. It’s always nice with an energetic and sparking rocker that can kick up some dust but the quality falters some here and even though it’s not a bad song, it’s kinda forgettable. The straight-forward Sleaze meets Melodic Rock stomper “Thin Line” is much better. With big guitars, a contagious stomp and an affable and catchy refrain on top, this groover feels much more like a single than at least three of the songs that were chosen for that purpose.
“Silhouette” is a darkening, brooding and melancholic ballad, quite held-back yet organic and stripped with an accompanying cello to go with it. It comes with an almost eerie atmosphere but it still holds an edge. Still a ballad, the tune gradually increases in roughness and heaviness and ends on a big, bombastic and explosive note. It’s a brilliant, powerful number that takes the band outside of their comfort zone. “Healing Waters”is a guitar-driven and straight ahead Melodic Rock tune, very hook-laden but also with a darker ambience that lurks in the background. The saxophone and the crunchy guitars brings on a Classic Rock vibe and with memorable melodies and a spot-on chorus, this is another great number. The album closes with “Streets Of Misery”, a heavy, punchy and stone-hard rocker in uptempo. This gritty and rowdy rocker brings Mötley Crüe and 80’s Kiss to mind and flirts with both Sleaze and Metal but even though it’s melodic enough, it’s also quite forgettable and never gets under my skin at all.
Bloody Heels’ second album is not bad at all and the guys jumps all over the listener with both passion and conviction – the fact that they’re honest and true to what they love musically is not even under debate. Still, there are a few things too many to remark on. Firstly, the material here don’t cut it all the way through as there are too many fillers on the album. Secondly, they need to find their own identity. I’m not talking about reinventing the wheel or become revolutionary but there’s really nothing in their sound that says “This is Bloody Heels!” which gives the impression of a too mainstream outlook. But the guys are obviously talented – with singer White and guitarist Rivers standing out the most – and I really dig the production that’s both raw, rough and edgy with lots of attitude but also polished enough for the masses. There is lots of potential here and it’s gonna be interesting to see what they might come up with in the future to come.
5/10
Tracklist:
1. Ignite The Sky
2. Criminal Masterminds
3. No Matter
4. Sugar & Spice
5. Farewell To Yesterday
6. Black Swan
7. Stand Your Ground
8. Thin Line
9. Silhouette
10. Healing Waters
11. Streets Of Misery
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