WORDS BY NAZ TOORABALLY & ELLA PATENALL

Indian folk metal band Bloodywood have been taking the world by storm with their debut album ‘Rakshak’. To celebrate its release, they announced a tour jam packed with dates across the UK, EU, USA and Japan. I caught their penultimate show on their EU/UK tour in London at the Electric Ballroom in Camden.

Hailing from New Delhi, India Bloodywood is fast becoming known for their pioneering sound fusing Indian folk instruments with metal and unparalleled energy. Showcasing the percussive power of the dhol, the melancholy of the Indian flute, the possibilities of the single-stringed tumbi and other sounds from India; powerful choruses in Hindi and Punjabi, with rap verses and metal (reminiscent of nu-metal pioneers Linkin Park) makes Bloodywood a unique band.

A band like Bloodywood selling out shows in the EU/UK is significant and cannot be understated. With ongoing conversations around the lack of diversity in the music industry in the UK and US, and racialised international artists rarely given a look-in (especially in alternative music), Bloodywood’s growing success is inspiring for those of us who don’t feel represented in alternative music.

Going by their music videos, I knew that Bloodywood would put on a good show and they did not disappoint. Commanding the audience to get involved at every opportunity, few people stood still. I was disappointed to be slightly too far away to jump in the mosh pit and too short to see their dhol drummer make his way through the audience. Although, just in front of me was a white guy who was vigorously headbanging through most of the show and at one point got teary with his friend over how incredible he thought Bloodywood were; I was glad to have witnessed that unexpected moment. But looking around the venue and seeing so many fellow brown folks in the audience was particularly heartwarming.

Between songs, Bloodywood’s vocalists Jayant Bhadula and Raoul Kerr confidently delivered powerful political and motivational messages between the songs from calling out the pervasive issue of sexual assault to media propaganda distracting and diving people. Their anger flavoured with optimism was refreshing for a British audience seemingly comfortable in our misery and despair. Karan Katiyar – who is the composer, producer and founder of the band – was on guitar and flute; hearing his flute solo in ‘Aaj’ was truly beautiful to witness live. Touring members Sarthak Pahwa (dhol), Roshan Roy (bass) and Vishesh Singh (drums) completed the band with their relentless energy.

Bloodywood is a band who doesn’t take for granted their success and how the very fans at their shows are a huge part of that journey as they thanked us all for being there. Before the show ended, they introduced the band and thanked their whole tour team (something you don’t see bands do enough) and despite it being their 22nd show of the tour, they didn’t appear the least bit tired. After finishing their 3-song encore, there was a real exciting and positive buzz in the crowd. I heard people exclaim how great the gig was afterwards and many were chanting “Bloodywood” on the way to the merch table. 

It’s one of those shows where you really had to be there to understand how special it was. I’m not sure when Bloodywood will next return to the UK, but I hope it’s soon; don’t miss out on tickets. In the meantime, for our friends across the pond, you can catch Bloodywood at a venue near you in May.