Bloodywood

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

Bloodywood
Bloodywood logo
Bloodywood logo
Background information
OriginNew Delhi, India
GenresFolk metal[1]
Years active2016–present
Associated actsThe Snake Charmer
Members
  • Karan Katiyar
  • Jayant Bhadula
  • Raoul Kerr
  • Touring members:
  • Sarthak Pahwa
  • Roshan Roy
  • Vishesh Singh

Bloodywood is an Indian metal band from New Delhi, formed in 2016. They began as a parody band that uploaded metal covers of pop songs on YouTube, but later went on to write their own original material.

History[]

Prior to forming the band, Karan Katiyar would regularly upload parody metal covers of popular Bollywood songs on YouTube, but he had trouble finding a suitable vocalist. Katiyar met Jayant Bhadula, who worked as a talent manager at an entertainment company, at a local gig, and was impressed by his vocal range and versatility.[2]

In 2016, Katiyar quit his job as a corporate lawyer and together with Bhadula formed a two-piece band[2] with the intention of "destroying pop songs".[3]

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."[4][5] The band made more covers in 2017 and released the compilation cover album Anti-Pop Vol. 1 on their Bandcamp page.[6] This was followed by a metal cover version of the popular Punjabi song "Tunak Tunak Tun" by Daler Mehndi, featuring guest vocals from Bonde do Metaleiro.[7][8]

On 1 May 2018, Bloodywood released "Ari Ari", a composition based on the 2003 Bhangra-Pop song "Ari Ari" by the band Bombay Rockers. The track featured rapper Raoul Kerr, whom Katiyar had invited to take part after working on a lyric video for him. Kerr would be featured in further Bloodywood songs, until he eventually became an official member of the band. Fan reception to the song was much better than to their previous covers, which encouraged the band to write original material and take more inspiration from Indian folk music.[2] Later, Bloodywood partnered with the online counseling site HopeTherapy and released the song "Jee Veerey", dedicated to fighting depression and mental illness.[9][10] On 15 January 2019, the band released "Endurant", a song dealing with the topic of bullying.[1]

On 21 April 2019, it was announced that Bloodywood would be performing at Wacken Open Air.[11] 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".[12]

Social work[]

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 counseling sessions.

Upon returning to India after their European tour, Bloodywood asked their fans on Patreon to help support The Posh Foundation, a local NGO that cares for homeless animals, and donated the profits from their tour earnings to purchase a new ambulance for them.

Band members[]

Touring members

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

Videography[]

  • "Ari Ari" (2018)
  • "Jee Veerey" (2018)
  • "Endurant" (2019)
  • "Machi Bhasad (Expect a Riot)" (2019)
  • "Yaad" (2020)

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Hear Indian Metal Viral Stars Bloodywood Take on Bullies With New Song "Endurant"". Revolver. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  2. ^ Jump up to: 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.
  3. ^ Lewry, Fraser (4 October 2018). "The heavy metal band 'destroying' Punjabi pop music". SBS. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  4. ^ Divita, Joe (22 February 2017). "Linkin Park Fan Plays New Song 'Heavy' in Band's Old Style". Loudwire. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  5. ^ Morton, Luke (21 February 2017). "This is what Linkin Park's Heavy should have sounded like". Louder Sound. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Anti-Pop Vol.1". Bandcamp. 24 December 2017.
  7. ^ "BLOODYWOOD Are Making Bollywood Metal A Thing, And It Sounds Great". Metal Injection. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  8. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (7 February 2018). "Video: Popular Punjabi Song "Tunak Tunak Tun" Made Metal". Metal Injection. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  9. ^ Tagat, Anurag (18 July 2018). "Watch Indian Metal Viral Stars Bloodywood's Uplifting New Video "Jee Veerey"". Revolver. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  10. ^ Bose, Rakhi (24 July 2018). "Meet 'Bloodywood', the Heavy Metal Band That's Rapping About Mental Health". News18. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  11. ^ "53 new bands for the Easter holidays!". Wacken Open Air. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  12. ^ "See Indian Folk-Metal Act Bloodywood's New "Machi Bhasad (Expect a Riot)" Video". Revolver. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2019.

External links[]

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