Since the 90's, when Black Metal came back from the graveyard, after years hidden in the depths of underground after the commercial praise given to VENOM in the first half of the 90's. In those days, the scenes from Sweden, Norway, Greece, Germany, Brazil and others created a sound paradigm: the Old School Black Metal sound, influence by BATHORY, HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST, SODOM, KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, SARCÓFAGO, SLAYER and many others. Those days were amazing, but some bands are trying to keep the old ways alive, bands as the German duet STREAMS OF BLOOD, as can be heard on "Erløsung".

Their musical work is based on the Old School Black Metal format, the same one from the 90's, done with a crude aggressive outfit, with a simple technical work, and tons of weight and energy, and even some Black/Thrash Metal touches. Of course, the band's music will not sound as something new for those who know the roots of Black Metal, but it has its charm, indeed. Thymos (the band's founder, vocalist and guitarist) is the one who produced and mixed "Erløsung". For a release of Old School Black Metal, it's done in the crude and morbid ways of the past, but with some improvements given by modern recording devices. It's good, but don't ask things in a level that aren't on what the band wants from its music.

The band knows how to balance fast and aggressive parts (on the Old School Black Metal sense) with funeral darkened moments. And the piledriving tempos with Black/Thrash traces of "Freitodmaschine", the morbid slow ambiences of "Die Ablehnung (Das Opfer)", the fast and melancholic riffs shown on "Nychts" (that contrasts with slower melodic moments) and "The Complex" (fine shrieking and snarling vocals can be heard here), and massive rhythmic attack of "Pigture" are the best ones. It's not the most creative releases of the genre, and maybe it's not what "Erløsung" is up to. But STREAMS OF BLOOD could dare a bit more in the future. They have talent for that.