Nu Delhi creates a space for culture, uniqueness and self-expression through Bloodywood’s talented methods of storytelling with many layers of depth.

Words by Tanita Hingerty | March 17, 2025

---

Bloodywood are widely known for their intrinsic and unique musical attributes, they’re sticking to their roots while bending genres and redefining metal music’s normalities through their own modern Indian perspective. Their new album titled Nu Delhi- is set to be released under Fearless records on the 21st of March.  

Bloodywood discovered and perfected their own sound through creating previous masterpieces of songs around mental health struggles, anti-bullying and their visions for a better world. They’re fighting corrupt policies and their own inner demons all through their Musical vision. They have never been ones to shy away from expressing their beliefs around injustices and have never been politically neutral. Their new album is personified, brave, multi-dimensional, surprising and emotionally evoking throughout.  

I got the pleasure of listening to the album in full the week before its release and I genuinely feel the world is going to be mind blown by it. Indian folk metal is utterly addictive, you will never find something quite like it.   

Here’s a breakdown of the eight new songs I think you’re about to be obsessed with:  

Bloodywood start off the album strong with the first track titled ‘Halla Boi’ which ignites our minds while mantras are chanted accompanied by low bassy sounds and traditional Indian flute playing. It sounds eerie, haunting and powerful- it unexpectedly becomes faster paced and more up tempo, drums kick in and we know what’s coming…the heaviest of riffs and a mash up of chaotic instrumentals. These sounds that wouldn’t typically go together are blended perfectly and the most energy ensues when the rapping and screaming begin. Their style makes you want to dance and mosh all at the same time but stop suddenly to take in what they’ve just delivered lyrically through their gifted and thought-provoking craft. This song aims to tackle incidents of historical importance and does this through hard-hitting lyrics with strings igniting and highlighting their meanings. The disorder behind the powerful chanting leads to an idyllic combination of guttural screams emphasizing inner rage and a healthy expression on making powerful stances through layering metal and traditional Indian instruments.   

Next on the album is ‘Hutt’ a song about self-validation and standing up to negative noise. Lowered and dimmed voices lead us into kinetic chanting and electric instrumentals. These sounds are combined with lyrics that are to the point and strengthened during choruses. It is fast paced and melodical with sliding scales and has so many elements and new sounds throughout. Fading piano notes and low bassy beats hit you in your soul, traditional Indian flute sounds are dreamlike and accompanying the vocals which continue to display catchy lyrics effortlessly.  

Then comes ‘Dhadak’, which is this album’s heartbeat. It starts off low, warped and menacing. Traditional Indian folk instrumentals lead us on to the heaviest of breakdowns. It’s clear Bloodywood are reviving and changing metal music’s formalities by bringing something completely culturally fresh and unexpected. High-pitched synth energy accompanies low bass notes, every aspect of the instrumental complimenting itself while uniquely executed. The dhol drum is played to perfection.  

I adore Bloodywood’s authenticity and originality, each song on this album has something never heard of before and they’re consistently and consciously ferocious in their delivery.   

Next up is ‘Bekhauf’ (feat. BABYMETAL) the collaboration we never knew we needed but possibly the greatest of 2025 so far. They combine musical cultures effortlessly and we’re here for it. It sounds mainstream at times and is doused with hidden meanings. Delicate elements are added to the song to emphasize vocals which twist and turn into heavier rhythms. The up-tempo instrumentals make you want to dance and then two-step as we reach the heavier sounds. Haunting chants lead us into super-fast paced, loaded instrumental information that feels thrown at us in impressive timings. Guitar riffs ground us before breakdowns begin breaking down musical barriers and listeners expectations. Definitively the dance track of the album.  

We next hear ‘Kismat’- with it’s traditional effigy’s and cultural dedications from Punjabi rapping leading to heartfelt bellowing of emotive choruses to balance out the carnage of the ongoing heaviness. It’s extremely clever when jumping chords are combined with electronic double-timed rhythms which lead to slowly but assertively sung rhymes. There’s strength behind the vocals which fluctuate naturally. Bridges of traditional Indian music and graded screams add so many layers of noise to ignite our different senses.   

‘Daggebaaz’ starts off as heavy as it means to go on. It’s an anthem about rising up and listening to your inner voice when a person betrays your trust, this is executed lyrically throughout with double timed chanting and is extremely fast paced. Crashing instrumental rhythms create musical landslides with guttural screams at the end of bars to emphasize it all. It makes you want to break into Bollywood dancing throughout the choruses. 

All songs are widely differentiated, and they all have a lot to offer in contributing to the complete sound of the album.  

‘Tadka’ is a unique take on a love song…for food and is an ode to the food from the band’s region with mouthwatering sounds and dramatic pauses for effect which lead to an all-in fearless instrumental jam. It’s clear that Bloodywood are not afraid to try something new and mix sounds proudly and surely while sharing their love for their culture with the world.  

The album finishes off proudly on the track ‘Nu Delhi’, their hometown’s post-colonial name and represents the realities of life in Nu Delhi with lyrics such as “I am the one, the diamond built from the pressure I am a son of Nu Delhi” and “Divided by the blood, united by the spirit” this song has un matched energy and makes you want to move abruptly to the catchiness. It’s so much fun but again has in depth meanings and is a clever balance of representative lyrics, sharp vocals that transcend to belting, riffs for days, elongated notes which turn staccato unexpectedly and is delivered with so much spirit and intensified screaming.  

This album breaks down barriers and shows how multitalented Bloodywood are and how they all execute their roles within the group flawlessly. It is an album packed with conscious and impactful music that portrays their ideas perfectly. They continue to add even more originality to their style and are somehow outdoing their previous offerings. It has a high-quality production value. Their style is riddled with energy and songs seem impossible not to move to while they’re delivering multilingual powerful lyrics ensuring to include their culture throughout. They speak of struggles and success with humble yet powerful lyrics and soulful definitions. They’re creating a space for culture, uniqueness and self-expression through their talented methods of storytelling with many layers of depth. It’s so clever and utterly fearless while they revive Indian culture in a completely new way.  

Verdict: 💀💀💀💀

For fans of: System Of A Down, Calva Louise, Jinjer