Bloodywood blends hard rock and Indian folk

Indian metal band, Bloodywood, released their second full-length album ‘NU Delhi’ on March 21. The band, comprising Karan Katiyar, Jayant Bhadula, and Raoul Kerr, is popular for blurring lines between genres. ‘NU Delhi’ leans further into experimentation, blending nu metal, metalcore, and melodic hard rock with Indian folk instruments. 

Their debut studio album, ‘Rakshak’ (2022), put them on the international map. This album fused heavy metal with Indian musical elements, from the dhol in Dana dan’to the flute melodies in Jee veerey, Endurant, and Yaad. With NU Delhi, the band doubles down on that cultural fusion.

The title track ‘NU Delhi’ is a clever play on both their genre and their hometown’s post-colonial name. “We tried to encapsulate the spirit of New Delhi,” Bhadula explains, adding, “This album is our way of saying: New Delhi has entered the global music scene — and it’s here to stay.” 

Bloodywood has long been known for addressing mental health, political exploitation, and gender-based violence. “We see music as a tool for change. We write what we believe needs to be said,” says Bhadula, a vocalist. Their raw, unapologetically direct lyrics have drawn lakhs of fans worldwide. “We want to prove that metal can be more than rage — it can be about resistance, healing, and hope.”

Dana dan’(2022), a song that made it to a pivotal sequence in the action movie Monkey Man, confronts the silence and lack of accountability around sexual violence and Gaddaar (2021) tackles how politicians use religion to gain votes. Tadka, a track on ‘NU Delhi’, uses food as a metaphor for cultural pride and resilience. It is about the emotion and warmth food carries. Bhadula explains the song’s origins, “Everyone living abroad has that one dish that feels like a warm hug from home. That’s what Tadka’ tries to capture.”

Hutt explores ideas of self-validation and standing up against negativity. Another highlight of the album is ‘Bekhauf’, a collaboration with Japanese kawaii metal stars Babymetal. It is a crossover of two distinct styles and cultures. 

Bloodywood has already wrapped up a sold-out tour across the UK and Europe. They are heading to Japan in early May and will join Babymetal in the US for around 25 shows. They also have shows lined up in India after they return. They are joined on tour by drummer Vishesh Singh, bassist Roshan Roy, and percussionist Sarthak Pahwa. “It’s fascinating seeing so many people who don’t speak our language or share our culture still connect with our music,” Bhadula shares.