Vol. #196: Bittersweet Revenge - “Heartache”
Rustbelt Rock Review
By: Z.M. Delgado
Rustbeltrockreview.com
Volume #196: Bittersweet Revenge - “Heartache”
July 17th, 2025
Good evening to you, my friend and welcome back to the Rustbelt Rock Review. This week I am listening to some new music from one of Cleveland’s finest, Bittersweet Revenge, as they release their new EP “Heartache.” I was fortunate enough to have procured an advance release of the collection. Preceded by “A Love Once Lost,” “Forgotten Tales” and “Turmoil” “Heartache” is the final installment of four part EP cycle begun in 2021. There’s a lot I’d like to say, but I don’t want to spoil the review. So without further delay lets just get down to it.
Kicking off the EP is the first single “Silver or Lead.” Telling a tale of the legendary dope man, Pablo Escobar, “Silver or Lead” is great start to the EP. It begins with a bitchin riff and very grooving verse. The chorus knocks things up a few notches with some pretty powerful screams. The song climaxes with a serious solo followed by another bout of wailing Vocals.
Bittersweet Revenge. Photo stolen from Facebook.
“Sinner” is the story of a dysfunctional relationship and a vicious cycle of lust and regret. This one has a very smooth and Bluesy vibe. It’s the sort of feel that makes you want to kick back and lift up a stiff drink. A notable thing about this track is the jam portion in the middle that is overdubbed with a voice mail from, shall we say, a “distressed female.” While she breaks down on the phone, the vocalist croons “I’m so high” in the background. The whole thing comes to a nice climax, ending with a shredding solo that really carries the track away.
“On Deaf Ears” is my favorite song on the EP. This is the most emotional track in the collection. It has a great melody that moves beautifully beneath the lyrics. The Vocal pattern to the words is expertly crafted, and I love the transition between the verse and the chorus. The chorus is a powerful shot, a plea, begging to be heard. The solo is a forceful, almost angry, assault. It is precise and emotional and exactly the best way to close out the track.
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“Scratches” is the heaviest song on the EP. It come out fast, aggressive and without reserve. The Drum work on the track is calamitous. Pounding and driving the man behind the kit brings it all on this song. There’s a great breakdown with some fast action lyricism that builds to sweet riffage. Once that riff breaks, the screams come in and the song rides out in pristine heaviness.
Closing out the EP is the impossibly smooth and satisfying “Cigarettes and Sunshine.” This song is the fucking jam. That’s it. Full stop. I loved it on first listen, and damn has it grown on me since. It has become my windows open, pedal down, slick summer jam. This is one for the good times. For the pool parties and the bonfires and all the great shit that comes with the onset of the good weather. Suffice to say this song is so damn good I don’t even have words to describe it. It has all the trademarks of a great BSR song, with just a little extra flavor to make it stand out. “Cigarettes and Sunshine” closes the EP on an incredibly high note.
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So in the end, what do I think about “Heartache?” I have to say it’s awesome. I really dig it. It is a solid entry into the BSR catalog and a worthy addition to the EP saga the band has been working on these past few years. I really dug it from the get go. Now that I’ve been listening to it for many weeks, I have to say it has really dug it’s teeth in. The song writing is superb. The lyrics and the solos are well crafted and, if I haven't used this word too often yet, it is so damn smooth. The EP has an unquestionable groove that stays with the listener from its most melodic portions all the way through to it heaviest moments. Without a doubt this is a great EP and a must listen collection of songs for the Cleveland Scene and beyond.
Until next time, Rock on, Rustbelt,
-Z.M. Delgado
Rustbelt Rock Review
Rustbeltrockreview.com
6/2/2025
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