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Bloodywood

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For the 2016 Pentagram album also called Bloodywood, see Pentagram (Indian band).

Bloodywood
The band live in 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.
The band live in 2023 in Brussels, Belgium.
Background information
OriginNew Delhi, India
Genres
Years active2016–present
LabelsFearless Records
Members
  • Karan Katiyar
  • Jayant Bhadula
  • Raoul Kerr
Websitebloodywood.net

Bloodywood is an Indian heavy metal band from New Delhi, formed in 2016. They began as a parody band that uploaded metal covers of pop songs on YouTube[6] and later wrote their own music. They have become India's first metal act to chart at Billboard.[6]

History

[edit]

Prior to forming the band, Karan Katiyar regularly uploaded parody metal covers of popular Bollywood songs on YouTube, but he had trouble finding a suitable vocalist. At a local gig, Katiyar met Jayant Bhadula, who worked as a talent manager at an entertainment company, and was impressed by his vocal range and versatility.[7]

In 2016, Katiyar quit his job as a corporate lawyer and together with Bhadula formed a two-piece band[7] with the intention of "destroying pop songs".[8]

In 2017, Bloodywood re-recorded Linkin Park's song "Heavy" in Linkin Park's early nu metal style, catching the attention of many music websites such as Loudwire and Metal Hammer, the latter of which declared it "what Linkin Park's Heavy should have sounded like."[9][10] The band made more covers in 2017 and released the compilation cover album Anti-Pop Vol. 1 on their Bandcamp page.[11] This was followed by a metal cover version of the popular Bhangra/Indi-pop song "Tunak Tunak Tun" by Daler Mehndi, featuring guest vocals from Bonde do Metaleiro.[12][13]

In 2018, Bloodywood released "Ari Ari", a cover of the Bhangra song "Ari Ari" by the duo Bombay Rockers, which itself was a version of the Indian folk song "Baari Barsi".[14] The track featured rapper Raoul Kerr, whom Katiyar had invited to take part after working on a lyric video for him.[7] The song's initial exposure was provided by Bollywood actress Ileana D'Cruz, who shared the video of "Ari Ari" on her social media.[14] The positive reception from fans encouraged the band to write original material and draw more inspiration from Indian folk music.[15]

In July of the same year, Bloodywood partnered with online counselling site HopeTherapy and released the song "Jee Veerey", dedicated to fighting depression and mental illness.[15][16] On 15 January 2019, the band released "Endurant", a song dealing with the topic of bullying.[5]

On 21 April 2019, it was announced that Bloodywood would perform at Wacken Open Air.[17] Two days later, the band released the song "Machi Bhasad (Expect a Riot)", initially intended for the upcoming Ubisoft game Beyond Good and Evil 2, as well as announcing that Kerr is becoming a permanent member of the band and that Bloodywood is embarking on their "Raj Against the Machine Tour".[18]

In 2021, Bloodywood was named one of the "12 new metal bands to watch in 2022" by the heavy metal and rock music magazine Metal Hammer.[19] They were also nominated for the Breakthrough Asian Band title at the 2021 Global Metal Apocalypse awards, finishing second.[20]

Bloodywood's debut studio album is titled Rakshak and was released on 18 February 2022.[19] Lyrically, it tackles social and political topics, such as the fifth track, "Dana-Dan", which discusses rape and sexual assault.[21][22]

On 18 October 2024, it was announced that the band had signed with Fearless Records.[23] This was followed by the release of the new single "Nu Delhi" and the confirmation of a 2025 UK and Europe tour.[24] On 6 December, Bloodywood released the single "Bekhauf", which features the Japanese metal band Babymetal.[25]

Social work

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Along with the messages included in their songs, the band aims to support various social/charity causes. With the release of the video for their song "Jee Veerey", they gave away pre-paid online counselling sessions. In a 2023 interview, Kerr claimed that the band's goal was "to channel that angst for the right causes and make people want to do something about them".[6]

Upon returning to India from their 2019 European tour, Bloodywood donated the earnings to Posh Foundation, a local NGO that cares for homeless animals, for the purchase of a new ambulance.[26]

Band members

[edit]
  • Karan Katiyar – guitars, flute, production, composition
  • Jayant Bhadula – vocals, growls
  • Raoul Kerr – rap vocals

Touring members

  • Sarthak Pahwa – dhol
  • Roshan Roy – bass
  • Vishesh Singh – drums

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
  • Anti-Pop Vol. 1 (2017)
  • Rakshak (2022)

Singles

[edit]
  • "Angry Santa" (2017)
  • "Friday The 13th" (2017)
  • "Punjabi Metal" (2017)
  • "Tunak Tunak Metal" feat. Bonde do Metaleiro (2018)
  • "Rang De Basanti" (2018)
  • "Ari Ari" (2018)
  • "Jee Veerey" (2018)
  • "Endurant" (2019)
  • "Machi Bhasad" (2019)
  • "Yaad" (2020)
  • "Great Is Born Raw" with the Snake Charmer (2021)
  • "Gaddaar" (2021)
  • "Aaj" (2022)
  • "Dana-Dan" (2022)
  • "Nu Delhi" (2024)
  • "Bekhauf" feat. Babymetal (2024)

Videos

[edit]
  • "Angry Santa" (2017)
  • "Tunak Tunak Tun" feat. Bonde do Metaleiro (2018)
  • "Rang De Basanti" (2018)
  • "Ari Ari" (2018)
  • "Jee Veerey" (2018)
  • "Endurant" (2019)
  • "Machi Bhasad" (2019)
  • "Yaad" (2020)
  • "Gaddaar" (2021)
  • "Aaj" (2022)
  • "Dana-Dan" (2022)
  • "Nu Delhi" (2024)
  • "Bekhauf" feat. Babymetal (2024)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b James Christopher Monger. "Bloodywood AllMusic Buo". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  2. ^ Neilstein, Vince (10 November 2021). "Indian Folk Nu-Metal: Bloodywood Bring the Ruckus on "Gadaar"". MetalSucks. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  3. ^ Lawson, Dom (18 February 2022). "CD Reviews: Rakshak by Bloodywood". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  4. ^ "India's Biggest Nu-Metal Export Bloodywood Drop New Music Video/Single [India]". Unite Asia. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Hear Indian Metal Viral Stars Bloodywood Take on Bullies with New Song "Endurant"". Revolver. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Mateen, Zoya (7 April 2023). "Bloodywood: From Indian parody band to metal music royalty". BBC News. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Lewry, Fraser (6 September 2018). "Meet Bloodywood, the Indian metal act with a feel-good hit and a serious message". Louder Sound. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  8. ^ Lewry, Fraser (4 October 2018). "The heavy metal band 'destroying' Punjabi pop music". SBS. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  9. ^ Divita, Joe (22 February 2017). "Linkin Park Fan Plays New Song 'Heavy' in Band's Old Style". Loudwire. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  10. ^ Morton, Luke (21 February 2017). "This is what Linkin Park's Heavy should have sounded like". Louder Sound. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  11. ^ "India's heaviest metal band releases heaviest song of 2017 – Angry Santa Metal". Unite Asia. 25 December 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  12. ^ "BLOODYWOOD Are Making Bollywood Metal A Thing, And It Sounds Great". Metal Injection. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  13. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (7 February 2018). "Video: Popular Punjabi Song "Tunak Tunak Tun" Made Metal". Metal Injection. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  14. ^ a b "The Story Behind The Song: Bloodywood's Ari Ari". Louder Sound. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  15. ^ a b Tagat, Anurag (18 July 2018). "Watch Indian Metal Viral Stars Bloodywood's Uplifting New Video "Jee Veerey"". Revolver. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  16. ^ Bose, Rakhi (24 July 2018). "Meet 'Bloodywood', the Heavy Metal Band That's Rapping About Mental Health". News18. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  17. ^ "53 new bands for the Easter holidays!". Wacken Open Air. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  18. ^ "See Indian Folk-Metal Act Bloodywood's New "Machi Bhasad (Expect a Riot)" Video". Revolver. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  19. ^ a b Mills, Matt; Hobson, Rich (20 December 2021). "12 new metal bands to watch in 2022". Louder Sound. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  20. ^ "Global Metal Apocalypse (GMA) Awards 2021 - The Results". Global Metal Apocalypse. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  21. ^ "Bloodywood Rakshak Lyrics Translated". Internet Archive. 14 June 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  22. ^ "Dana-Dan Lyrics". Genius Lyrics. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  23. ^ "Fearless Records Signs Bloodywood + Band Shares "Nu Delhi" Video — WATCH". themetalcoalition.com. 18 October 2024.
  24. ^ ""It's our love letter to the city that raised us." Indian nu metal sensations Bloodywood release thumping new single Nu Dehli, announce UK and Europe 2025 tour". loudersound.com. 18 October 2024.
  25. ^ "Bloodywood Team Up with Babymetal for New Single "Bekhauf"; Animated Video Teaser Available". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  26. ^ Westbrook, Corinne (27 March 2020). "BLOODYWOOD Donates Ambulance to Animal Rescue, Unleash New Song "Yaad" That Gives Us All the Feels". Metal Injection. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
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