In celebration of its release, the band also premiered one of the record’s songs, an acoustic take of its song, ‘Be Free’ and a video to boot. The acoustic take of ‘Be Free’ is an even more emotional take on the song than its source material, what with the original song being a heavy, melodic hard rock song very much in the vein of works from Sevendust. The acoustic take adds so much emotional depth to the song what with its simple, acoustic approach and string arrangement.
No doubt it will bring countless listeners to tears of joy with its musical arrangement coupled with its uplifting lyrical message of letting go of the past and being emotionally free. Considering the emotional impact of this song’s musical and lyrical content, it is right up there with the likes of Bloodywood’s ‘Jee Veerey‘.
The video for the song’s acoustic take is composed of footage recorded by the band’s fans and footage of the band on the road. The song plays over the visual as it plays out.
Soul Revolution: Acoustic Vibes is a collection of four songs taken from the band’s 2022 album, Soul Revolution. The track listing for Fire From The Gods’ new EP is noted below:
Soul Revolution: Acoustic Vibes Track Listing:
Soul Revolution (Acoustic)
Thousand Lifetimes (Acoustic)
World So Cold (Acoustic)
Be Free (acoustic)
More information on Fire From The Gods’ new EP, single, and video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Bloodywood is coming back to the states this summer.
The band announced Tuesday, it is scheduled to launch the “Rakshak USA 2023 Tour” May 2 in Seattle, WA. The tour, which will follow the band’s “Rakshak EU/UK Tour 2023,” is scheduled to run through May 25 in Columbus, OH and also includes performances scheduled in Greensboro, NC; St. Louis, MO and Sacramento, CA.
The schedule for the tour, which is in support of the band’s 2022 debut album, Rakshak, is noted below. Presales for tickets and VIP packages will be available here starting Wednesday while general sales will open Friday. Vended and Wargasm will share time as support for the tour.
Bloodywood vocalist Jayant Bhadula said Bloodywood is excited about getting back stateside.
“We are thrilled to be back playing for our fans in the United States,” Bhadula said. “This tour is going to be a celebration of heavy metal, Indian culture, and the power of music to bring people together.”
TOUR DATES 05/02 @ El Corazon – Seattle, WA 05/03 @ Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR 05/05 @ Virginia Street Brewhouse – Reno, NV 05/06 @ Goldfield Trading – Sacramento, CA 05/07 @ Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA 05/08 @ The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA 05/10 @ Gothic Theatre – Denver, CO 05/12 @ The Metro – Chicago, IL 05/13 @ Pop’s – St. Louis, MO 05/15 @ Vibes Event Center – San Antonio, TX 05/16 @ The Studio At The Factory – Dallas, TX 05/18 @ Welcome to Rockville Festival – Daytona Beach, FL 05/19 @ The Georgia Theater – Athens, GA 05/20 @ Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 05/22 @ Irving Plaza – New York, NY 05/23 @ HMAC – Harrisburg, PA 05/24 @ Roxian Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA 05/25 @ Sonic Temple Festival – Columbus, OH
Rakshak was among the most anticipated hard rock and metal albums of 2022 among many audiences, and it more than lived up to expectations. That was proven through all of the singles it released. Those singles are: ‘Gaddaar,’ ‘Aaj,’ ‘Machi Basad,’ ‘Dana Dan,’ ‘Jee Veerey,’ ‘Endurant,’ and ‘Yaad.’
More information on Bloodywood’s new tour schedule is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:
As the final hours of 2022 tick away and all eyes and hopes look forward to 2023, there is still a little bit of time to look back on the year that is now ending in regards to the year’s top new albums. This year produced so many impressive new albums across the musical universe, from rock to rap to jazz, blues, classical, world, and even family music, as Phil’s Picks has shown. Looking at all of those genres, many of them have produced records that are clearly among the best of the best, and they are presented here in the last of this year’s new music lists.
This year’s list of the year’s top new albums includes Machine Head’s new album, Of Kingdom and Crown, percussionist Tom Collier’s new album, The Color of Wood, and even Pimps of Joytime’s new album, Reachin’ Up among so many others. Between these and all of the other albums included in this final music list for the year, it is clear that this year’s overall field of new music was rich with enjoyable content. It made creating this list so difficult, but the list was created, nonetheless.
As with each Phil’s Picks list, this one consists of the year’s top 10 new albums and five additional honorable mentions for a total of 15 titles. The top 10 records are the best of the best and the honorable mentions are records that are appealing in their own right and deserving of attention, too, thus their inclusion here. Without any further ado, here is Phil’s Picks’ 2022 Top 10 New Albums of the Year.
PHIL’S PICKS 2022 TOP 10 NEW ALBUMS
Bloodywood – Rakshak
Danilo Perez – Crisalida
Derek Sherinian – Vortex
Machine Head – Of Kingdom and Crown
Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music – Variants of Vibe
Devin Townsend – Light Work
Joe Satriani – Elephants of Mars
Sabaton – The Symphony to End All Wars
Pimps of Joytime – Reachin’ Up
Tom Collier – The Color of Wood
The Jorgensens – Americana Soul
Mark Tremonti – Tremonti Sings Sinatra
Playing For Change Band – The Real Revolution
Old Crow Medicine Show – Paint The Town
Bobby Watson – Back Home in Kansas City
That’s it for this year’s new music year-enders. There is still time for at least a couple of TV pieces to go through before the year officially ends, so stay tuned!
Today’s independent music act could very well be tomorrow’s hit name in the mainstream. One never knows. All it takes is the right support from radio and audiences and of course being in the right time and place to make it happen. Even if an act does not make it to the mainstream masses does not mean said act is not worth hearing. As a matter of fact, many independent acts are just as good as their mainstream counterparts if not better. To that end, even they deserve their own attention at each year’s end, and that is why Phil’s Picks provides a list of the year’s top new independent albums each year, too.
This year’s list of top new independent albums bring together independent albums from the worlds of rock, pop, and even jazz, showing just how much great independent music continues to be released even this year. This year’s list is topped by Indian nu-metal outfit Bloodywood. The band is joined here by the likes of Mythosphere — which features former members of Fates Warning, Pale Divine, and Beezlefuzz — as well as jazz artist Kevin Cerovich and others.
As with each list from Phil’s Picks, this list features the year’s top 10 new albums plus five additional honorable mentions, for a total of 15 records. These lists are never easy, so no disrespect is meant to the honorable mention titles. They deserve just as much credit as the top 10 records considering their overall content.
Keeping that in mind, here without any further ado is Phil’s Picks’ 2022 Top 10 New Independent Albums.
PHIL’S PICKS 2022 TOP 10 NEW INDEPENDENT ALBUMS
Bloodywood – Rakshak
Pimps of Joytime – Reachin’ Up
Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music – Variants of Vibe
Ginger Wildheart and The Sinners – Ginger Wildheart and The Sinners
Soraia – Bloom
Mythosphere – Pathological
Kevin Cerovich – Aging Millenial
As Within, So Without – Salvation
Artifas – Reflections
Gill Brothers Band – Gill Brothers Band
American Thrills – Parted Ways
Standards – Fruit Town
Kulick – Everyone I Know Will Die
Dancing on Tables – Colour in the Grey
The L.A. Maybe – Dirty Damn Tricks
One more down and one more to go before the attention turns to the realm of TV and movies. Stay tuned!
The hard rock and metal community had another strong year in 2022, with dozens of acts releasing new studio recordings. From established acts to some up-and-comers to even some fledgling acts, bands across the hard rock and metal community offered audiences something to appreciate. That included new power metal, death metal, nu-metal and general hard rock records. In other words, 2022 was a very good year for the hard rock and metal community, and Phil’s Picks’ 2022 Top 10 New Hard Rock and Metal Albums list illustrates that clearly.
This year’s list of top new hard rock and metal albums runs across the community with new albums from the likes of Slipknot, Megadeth, Ozzy Osbourne, Sabaton, and even Amon Amarth. Topping this year’s list is the debut album from fledgling nu-metal band Bloodywood. The band has, in the past few years, made a heck of a name for itself through its music and uplifting lyrical themes. The band’s star has continued to rise ever since it released its debut album, Rakshak early this year, too. Joining Bloodywood and the other noted bands on this year’s list are also the likes of Machine Head, Master Boot Record, and Lamb of God, too.
As with each list from Phil’s Picks, this list features Phil’s Picks’ top 10 new albums in the given category and five honorable mention titles. Those honorable mention titles are no less impactful than the top 10 albums. It is just that hard to really find just 10 records worth noting. There are that many that are so good. So, without any further ado, here for your consideration is Phil’s Picks’ 2022 Top 10 New Hard Rock and Metal Albums.
PHILS PICKS 2022 TOP 10 NEW HARD ROCK/METAL ALBUMS
Bloodywood – Rakshak
Sabaton – The War to End All Wars
Sabaton – The Symphony to End All Wars
Machine Head – Of Kingdom and Crown
Slipknot – The End, So Far
Lamb of God – Omens
Amon Amarth – The Great Heathen Army
Megadeth – The Sick, The Dying & The Dead
Arch Enemy – Deceivers
Ozzy Osbourne – Patient #9
Grave Digger – Symbol of Eternity
Master Boot Record – Personal Computer
Stratovarius – Survive
Artifas – Reflections
Stone Broken – Revelation
That’s it for this year’s list, but there is still plenty more to come between today and tomorrow with lists for top new Family Music, World Music, Top New Independent Albums and Top New Overall Albums. Somehow Phil’s Picks also has to get in lists for new TV and movie releases, too by midnight Saturday. Stay tuned!
The Indian nu-metal outfit announced this week, the North American leg of its “Nine Inch Naans Tour” is schedule to launch Sept. 24 in Louisville, KY and to run through Oct. 13 in Dallas, TX. The tour features performances in cities, such as Chapel Hill, NC; Denver, CO and Sacramento, CA.
Band member Raoul Kerr said the band is looking forward to bringing its music and stage show to American audiences.
“Our supporters in the US are unbelievably passionate, our debut US tour has been YEARS in the making and this time nothing’s going to stop us,” Kerr said. “Whether it’s more covid, a zombie apocalypse or a full blown alien invasion, we’re going to bring the Rakshak rampage to the States and rock out with all of you in September!”
The tour’s schedule is noted below.
TOUR DATES
09/24 @ Louder Than Life Festival – Louisville, KY 09/26 @ The Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA 9/28 @ Local 506 – Chapel Hill, NC 9/29 @ Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD 9/30 @ The Middle East Downstairs – Cambridge, MA 10/1 @ The Gramercy Theater – New York, NY 10/3 @ Beat Kitchen – Chicago, IL 10/4 @ The Turf Club – St. Paul, MN 10/6 @ Marquis Theater – Denver, CO 10/9 @ Aftershock Festival – Sacramento, CA 10/10 @ Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA 10/11 @ The Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ 10/13 @ Studio at The Factory – Dallas, TX
Bloodywood’s upcoming fall North American tour is in support of its debut album, Rakshak, which it released in February. The album most recently produced the single, ‘Dana Dan.’ It also produced the singles, ‘Gaddar,’ ‘Jee Veerey,’ ‘Machi Bhasad,’ ‘Endurant,’ and ‘Yaad.’
In other tour news, Bloodywood is scheduled to perform live Aug. 11 at the BloodstockOpen Air Festival in Trent, United Kingdom. Tickets are available here.
More information on Bloodywood’s new tour and album is available online along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:
Almost three years ago, upstart hard rock/metal band Bloodywood first started carving out its place in the hard rock and metal community when it released its single, ‘Ari Ari.’ The song, which blended the band members’ Indian musical background with a more western nu-meatl approach started was jus the beginning of a meteoric rise for the band. Each song and each video that the band released built its fame and fan base even more, even leading to a performance at one of the world’s most respected live festival shows, the Wacken Open Air Festival, in 2019. On Feb. 18, the band will take yet another big step forward when it releases its debut album, Rakshak. The 10-song album joins all but one of the singles that the band has released to date – ‘Ari Ari’ is, ironically the only single not featured in this record – to make an overall presentation that given the right support, will make Bloodywood one of the next big names in the hard rock and metal communities. That is proven in part through its noted musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany the album’s musical content add even more appeal to the presentation. They will be discussed a little later. The sequencing of that content rounds out its most important elements and will also be addressed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make Rakshak a successful debut album for Bloodywood that audiences will agree was well worth the wait.
Rakshak, the debut album from up-and-coming hard rock/metal band Bloodywood, is a successful first outing from the band. It is a presentation that audiences will agree was well worth the wait. That is proven in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements in question blend so many influences from one song to the next. Case in point is the arrangement in the early entry, ‘Aaj.’ Vocalist Jayant Bhadula’s growls in this song reach the level of death metal growls a la Whitechapel front man Phil Bozeman. His screams meanwhile pair with the rapping of co-vocalist Raoul Kerr to form the foundation for a sort of metalcore sound and stylistic approach. That leaning is highlighted even more through the combined performances of guitarist Karan Katiyar and the added bass and drums. There is so much going on here in terms of the instrumentation and in terms of the influences, yet it is all so well-balanced. The end result is a work that serves to show Bloodywood is not just another nu-metal band, but a viable hard rock and metal outfit with very real talent and ability.
The infusion of the noted nu-metal and metal influences is displayed just as well much later in the album in the form of ‘BSDK.exe.’ Kerr’s rapping against the keyboards and electronics at points throughout the song is full on nu-metal in every sense. That sound and stylistic approach is contrasted in the song’s choruses with a much heavier, guitar-driven influence. Again, Bhadula’s death metal growls are on full display, and so are some sharper screams. The band’s Indian influence is present here, too, just not as prominently as in some of the album’s other arrangements. The best comparison that one might be able to make in this case is to works from the likes of Fear Factory and early works from Chimaira. In other words, it boasts its own identity separate from that of ‘Aaj’ and all of the album’s other songs. It is just one more way in which the album’s musical arrangements show their importance to the record’s presentation. ‘Dana-Dan,’ the album’s midpoint, is another example of the importance of the album’s musical arrangements.
‘Dana-Dan’ is important in examining Rakshak’s musical arrangements because it also boasts its own identity. In the case of this song, the arrangement is just as heavy as ever with its down-tuned guitars, its screams, rapping, and its rhythm section. The nu-metal leanings are just as present as ever here courtesy of Kerr’s rapping. Bhadula’s vocals, paired with those of Kerr and with the instrumentation helps to take the arrangement in yet another direction. In the case of this song, his work and that of his fellow musicians gives the song a sound and stylistic approach that is similar to that of Devildriver and Slipknot. One could even argue a comparison to works from Unearth. That is the case even with the use of the keyboards and electronics subtly incorporated into the arrangement. All things considered, this composition is just as heavy as any other song featured in Rakshak and at the same time, still boasts its own identity. When it is considered along with the other songs examined here and with the rest of the album’s works, the whole makes clear the importance of the album’s musical arrangements. Of course the musical side of Rakshak is just one part of what makes the album a success. Its lyrical themes are just as important as its musical arrangements.
The lyrical themes that Rakshak presents are important because they are each so powerful and as diverse as the album’s musical arrangements. Case in point is the lyrical theme featured in ‘Jee Veerey.’ The theme here is one of determination. Bhadula encourages listeners in the chorus, to ‘Live, brave one/Fight those internal storms and/Win, brave one/Weather those wounds and/Rise once again/Fly once again” Kerr builds on that message as he reminds listeners that “We’ve all had to go/To the land down below/Where the sun don’t shine/And the moon don’t glow/Sat back/Trapped in the big bubble, saying/Chuck that man/It ain’t worth the trouble/Sound familiar don’t it/I think we all own it/A mindset that don’t seem to get/We’ve outgrown it/Now I’m sat back/Poking at the big bubble, saying/Talk back/You’re bigger than the trouble/Walk this valley of death/Head high/Say ‘I’ll be back, today I won’t die/’Cause try as we may/We can never deny/We can get back up if we’re still alive.” Kerr’s straight forward wording is sure to connect and resonate with any listener. This message of overcoming depression and mental health issues in general is anything but new, but is presented in a fresh way here. That in itself is impressive. What’s more, addressing mental health is always important. To that end, this song’s uplifting lyrical theme is a prime example of the importance of the album’s lyrical content. The lyrical theme featured in ‘Endurant’ is another example of that importance.
‘Endurant,’ which is one of the songs that helped build Bloodywood’s popularity, delivers a theme of forgiveness. It reminds listeners that while yes, there are people out there who want to make us miserable, we must forgive them. This is not something easy to do by any means. It is not within humans’ nature to forgive. We want to right wrongs done against us. The theme is made clear early on as Kerr comes right out and says in his rapping, “This goes out to the silent who fight the urge to get violent/This goes out with the love/bound with the power to rise above.” Bhadula adds, “Suppressed/self-conflicted/A prisoner of silence/Sever the bonds that always made you yield/Become your own shield.” Bhadula adds in the song’s chorus, “I am endurant/I am not a stray rock/I am the founding stone of a mountain/I am not weak/I am forgiving/Within darkness, I am my own light.” This is a powerful overall statement. It is another theme (and content) that will resonate with any listener with its supportive statements. To that end, it is one more example of the importance of the album’s lyrical themes. Along with facing one’s own emotions and thoughts, the band also takes on the matter of facing loss in the album’s lyrical content. That is made clear in the song, ‘Yaad.’ This deeply emotional song encourages listeners to grieve and to move on. The release and healing happens through holding memories of those loved ones whom we have lost. The band points this out not only in notes with the song’s video, but just as much through the lyrics. Kerr raps here, “Your fire burns beneath the frost/An empire built between my thoughts/Crisscrossed across the line that can’t be crossed/A million memories in this melody/Singing to me/Smile/This is the way it’s meant to be.” He adds, “With every breath/With every smile/With every sound of the beating heart/Your undying fire burns ever brighter.” So again what audiences get here is a message of knowing the loss has happened, but knowing that loved one will never be forgotten and that no one should ever forget loved ones who have moved on. At the same time, we cannot relegate ourselves to pining for them forever after they are gone. It is another familiar theme that is presented in such a unique way, showing even more, the importance of the album’s lyrical themes. When this uplifting theme is considered along with the other equally uplifting themes in the songs examined here, and with the rest of the album’s songs, the whole makes this record’s lyrical content so undeniably important. When the overall lyrical theme is considered along with the overall musical content, the whole of that content makes more than clear why Rakshak is a success. When the content’s sequencing is considered along with the content itself, it completes the album’s picture and leaves no doubt that this record deserves plenty of attention.
The sequencing of Rakshak’s content is important because it takes the diversity of those items into full account along with the energy in the songs’ energies. As already noted, the band takes on a diverse range of sounds and styles in its musical arrangements from one song to the next. The group also takes on a wide range of lyrical themes along the way. The sequencing ensures that both sides change as much as possible throughout the record’s 47-minute run time. Along the way, the energy in the songs’ arrangements is expertly balanced. The presentation starts on a powerful note in the politically charged, ‘Gaddaar’ and keeps that energy moving through to ‘Zanjeero Se.’ The album’s third entry, it balances the band’s heavier and softer side so well within itself, giving audiences the best of both worlds. From there, the energy picks back up in ‘Machi Bhasad’ and carries through to ‘Jee Veerey.’ Here again is a display of the band’s heavier leanings expertly placed alongside the band’s softer side. It is presented in a way that is unique from that of ‘Zanjeero Se,’ too. That makes the listening experience all the better. As the album progresses through its second half from there, the ups and downs are more pronounced in the contrasting sounds and styles of ‘Endurant’ and ‘Yaad.’ ‘Yaad’ is one part contemplative nu-metal and one part heavy ballad while ‘Endurant’ is much heavier and determined. The thing is that even with that difference, the energy between the two songs keeps the record’s energy stable in each work, once again proving the importance of the album’s sequencing. The album’s last two tracks pick audiences back up and get them back into the mosh pit, leaving them breathless by the record’s end. It shows once again, the time and thought that went into the album’s sequencing. The end result of that time and thought is that the sequencing gives the album’s presentation a positive aesthetic impact. When that impact is considered along with the positive impact of the album’s overall content, the whole leaves no doubt that this record is a complete success.
Up-and-coming hard rock/metal band Bloodywood is primed to be one of the next big names in the hard rock and metal communities. The band’s debut album, Rakshak, makes that clear. Given the right support, it is certain to keep the band’s meteoric rise to fame going strong. That is proven in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements are diverse, offering audiences elements of nu-metal, death metal, and even some aggro-rock and other influences throughout. Those leanings are well-balanced with the songs, too, making for even more engagement and entertainment. The lyrical themes that accompany the album’s musical arrangements are just as diverse in their topics. From socio-politically charged songs to deeper works about accepting loss, and works in between promoting self-confidence among audiences, the themes touch on so many areas. They will resonate with audiences along the way because of their familiarity and the way in which they are presented. The sequencing of that content puts the finishing touch to the album’s presentation. It takes into account the noted variety in the content and the energies established in each song to make a presentation that is wholly fulfilling for any listener. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make Rakshak unquestionably one more of the best of the year’s new hard rock and metal albums so far.
Rakshak is scheduled for release Feb. 18. The band is scheduled to launch a tour across Europe in support of the record in March. The tour’s schedule is noted below.
Sat Mar 05 2022 – Im Wizemann Stuttgart, Germany Tickets
Sun Mar 06 2022 – Zoom Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tickets
Mon Mar 07 2022 – Die Kantine Cologne, Germany Tickets
Tue Mar 08 2022 – La Madeleine Brussels, Belgium Tickets
Wed Mar 09 2022 – Melkweg Amsterdam, Netherlands Tickets
Fri Mar 11 2022 – Gruenspan Hamburg, Germany Tickets
Sat Mar 12 2022 – Pumpehuset Copenhagen, Denmark Tickets
Bloodywood premiered the video for its latest single this week.
The band debuted the video for its new single, ‘Aaj’ Friday through The Pit. The song and video are the sixth from the band’s forthcoming album, Rakshak, which is scheduled for release Feb. 18. The album has also produced the singles, ‘Endurant,’ ‘Gaddaar,’ ‘Machi Bhasad,’ ‘Yaad,’ and ‘Jee Verey.’
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Aaj’ is similar to those of the album’s other singles what with its mix of Indian influences and nu-metal alongside. The incorporation of the whistle and by now familiar blend of clean vocals and screams and the rich, heavy drums, guitar and bass makes that evident.
At the same time, there is a subtle difference in the arrangement’s overall sound and approach from the album’s other singles that still sets it apart. Case in point, some of the screams lean in the direction of a death metal sound, which is rare for the band in its new album. The whistle is kept to a minimum while the clean vocals (rapping) has its own unique flow, too.
The lyrical theme featured in ‘Aaj’ presents another positive message of perseverance, much as with the album’s other singles. It encourages listeners to put their past behind them and keep moving forward through life’s difficulties.
In related news, Bloodywood has announced an extensive European tour for spring/summer of 2022 in support of Rakshak. The tour’s schedule is noted below complete with links for tickets.
Sat Mar 05 2022 – Im Wizemann Stuttgart, Germany Tickets
Sun Mar 06 2022 – Zoom Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tickets
Mon Mar 07 2022 – Die Kantine Cologne, Germany Tickets
Tue Mar 08 2022 – La Madeleine Brussels, Belgium Tickets
Wed Mar 09 2022 – Melkweg Amsterdam, Netherlands Tickets
Fri Mar 11 2022 – Gruenspan Hamburg, Germany Tickets
Sat Mar 12 2022 – Pumpehuset Copenhagen, Denmark Tickets
Two years of buildup is getting ready to explode for Bloodywood. Ever since the release of its single, ‘Endurant’ and its companion video in 2019, the band’s fame has only increased around the world. Now next year, the top will blow off for the band when it releases its debut album, Rakshak.
The band announced through a news release distributed Tuesday, it is scheduled to release Rakshak independently Feb. 18. In anticipation of the album’s release, the band premiered the video for the album’s new single, ‘Gaddaar’ Tuesday.
The video features the band through the streets of India and performing on a grassy backlot in which sits a rusted out old bus as the intense nu-metal style arrangement performs over the visualization.
The band addressed the song’s musical arrangement in a prepared statement.
”It’s the first single we’re releasing in the build up to the album because musically speaking you’ll hear something familiar, but there’s also enough to hint at the evolution of our sound,” the statement reads. “That’ll become evident across the release of the next couple of singles and the album itself. We gave the album everything we had and can’t wait to unleash it all.”
The band continued, expanding on the album’s overall musical body, stating, “Musically we’ve taken more than a few risks and pushed the limits of our sound both vocally and instrumentally. Besides having a few songs with our signature sound, we have also experimented heavily by writing our fastest, heaviest and angriest music yet while also incorporating elements and instruments from genres that lie on the other end of the musical spectrum.”
The song’s lyrical theme is made clear in the video’s intro as the band states the song is politically charged. It is an indictment of the powers that be and their impact on the world.
The band also discussed the song’s lyrical content in the noted statement, pointing out, “It’s been a while since our last song, so we wanted to come back heavy with ‘Gaddaar! It’s a song that’s aimed at a complete separation of religion and politics across the world. Everyone deserves equal rights and equal treatment at the hands of their governments no matter who and how they worship. We’ve seen the use of religious and divisive politics globally in recent years and it needs to be spoken about.
The band added through its statement, audiences can expect a variety of themes to be addressed in its new record. stating, “You’ll hear songs that talk about combating mental illness, overcoming divisive politics, battling the poverty crisis, crushing corruption, eliminating sexual assault, hope, belief and undying determination.
‘Gadaarr’ is just the latest single from Rakshak. It also features the already released singles, ‘Jee Veerey,’ ‘Machi Bhasad,’ ‘Endurant,’ and ‘Yaad.’ Album pre-orders are open in the U.S. and EU/Worldwide.
In related news, Bloodywood has announced an extensive European tour for spring/summer of 2022 in support of Rakshak. The tour’s schedule is noted below complete with links for tickets.
Sat Mar 05 2022 – Im Wizemann Stuttgart, Germany Tickets
Sun Mar 06 2022 – Zoom Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tickets
Mon Mar 07 2022 – Die Kantine Cologne, Germany Tickets
Tue Mar 08 2022 – La Madeleine Brussels, Belgium Tickets
Wed Mar 09 2022 – Melkweg Amsterdam, Netherlands Tickets
Fri Mar 11 2022 – Gruenspan Hamburg, Germany Tickets
Sat Mar 12 2022 – Pumpehuset Copenhagen, Denmark Tickets
Rap group No Flag, fronted by Bloodywood member Raoul Kerr, debuted the video for its latest single this week.
The group released the video for its new single ‘Raise No Flag‘ Monday. The song is the third single from the group’s EP Guerilla Games. Its debut follows that of the EP’s other singles, ‘Exhale‘ and ‘The Nation Needs To Know.’
The video for ‘Raise No Flag’ centers on people connected around the world through digital media. They all receive No Flag’s message, some surprised at first, but eventually all joining the movement.
The musical arrangement featured in the song is grounded in its infectious beat and subtle cry of ‘They don’t know.’ The deep sound of Kerr’s voice as he delivers the song’s lyrics, which focus on the topic of unity to tackle climate change and global injustice enriches the song’s presentation even more.
More information on No Flag’s latest single and video is available along with all of the group’s latest news at:
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