The best way to make a musical name grow isn’t an easy thing to be defined, but one way is simple: to have a successful release and to have more releases following it in the following years. One fine example is DIMMU BORGIR: after all the praise the band had with “Enthrone Darkness Triumphant” on 1997, they released the compilation “Godless Savage Garden” on the following year (1998), and on 1999 came “Spiritual Black Dimensions”. This is the ‘dorsal spine’ of their success. But to have a long time gap between two releases is commercial suicide. This serves as a tip for the Romanian trio BLACKSHEEP; but besides these words, “Bloodties” is a very good release. They took 9 years between “The Future Started Yesterday” (their first album, released on 2014) and “Bloodties” (obviously many EPs and Singles were release in this time).

But it seems that their music matured, as the offering is a form of Death ‘n’ Roll music, a mix between classic Death Metal with melodies inherited from classic Hard Rock and some groove touches, but with different element on the mix: the personality of the band on the arrangements (pay attention to the massive onslaught of “What’s Left Between” and check its fluid melodies to have an idea of what these words mean). It’s really a very good release. The band’s guitarist/vocalist Liviu is the one who signs the production, mixing and mastering of “Bloodties”, creating a very good sonority, violent and heavy, but organic in many points, and understandable as well. Of course some tunes could be better to fit in their work in a better form. And the artwork of Costin Chioreanu for the cover is really very good, simple on its approach, and with the main idea of what the band is up to on every trace.

Furious and well arranged, heavy and catching, “Bloodties” presents a musical work full of value on its own. But to have a deeper idea of what the trio is up to, “Bloodties” (a fast song with excellent melodic lines and catchy arrangements, especially in the guitars), “Fuck Your War” (where the traces of classic Hard Rock becomes evident on the melodies, and what thunderous work from bass guitar and drums), “The Bridge” (as the speed decreased in the view of the previous songs, the weight increase a lot and the dynamic between the musical instruments becomes evident), “What’s Left Between” (a fast perfect song for a live show due its hooks), “Nowhere to Belong” and “She Isn’t Thinking of Me” (another two moments with slower speed and many Hard Rock hooks), “Rue the Day” and “World’s Most Beautiful Suicide” are the right ones. But in reality, it’s hard to not surrender to all the songs.

Two tips for BLACKSHEEP: evade the long time gaps between two albums, and for live shows, you must consider the presence of a second guitarist. The rest is simple: listen to “Bloodties” and enjoy as your necks are being eroded.