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Getting an interview is always a special concession to our work and we are always grateful that artists take time out of their busy schedules to talk to us. The fact that the artist in question is BLOODYWOOD’s Raoul Kerr makes it all the more special for us. The Indian band are truly a trailblazer in many regards and with their upcoming album Nu Delhi, set to release on March 21st, they are likely going to further cement their place in the top of the Metal pyramid. Below, you can find out why they chose the name Nu Delhi, how the album compares to Rakshak, how political it will be and many more things!
Huge thanks to lightinmirror.de for the awesome pictures and to everyone behind the scenes that made this interview possible!
Shieldmaiden’s Voice: If you had to describe BLOODYWOOD’s musical style in just three words, which would you choose?
Raoul Kerr: Two words: Nu Delhi! A part of the reason why we chose the this name for the album was because we always struggled to figure out how to describe us to people. We used to joke around saying we were playing „Metal Tikka Masala“ or the technical side would be „a sensory overload that will leave you wanting more“. At the same time, „Nu Delhi“ became the best way to describe us and our sound. It has an element of India and Nu Metal in it. That’s literally the reason!
SV: Maybe it’s Nu Delhi Metal then?
Raoul: No, because the other thing is that it’s a combination of words, like „positive aggression“, which is another thing that comes to my mind. Our message is very positive and our goal is to create a positive impact on the planet, but we deliver it with maximum aggression.
SV: Continuing with this, maybe, what are themes or topics that you want to convey in your music?
Raoul: That the world can be a better place than it is right now! It’s as simple as that. These stories, ideals and this sense of morality that we’re all raised with, whether it’s things we learn from our parents or our teachers or from the stories we all share, they are not what we practice. When you grow older, you see what you were raised to believe was right and what is actually happening in the world today. It’s very simple, it’s very fundamental. It’s difficult to do, but there is an obvious path forward which is where the aggression comes from. It’s really that simple and we just have to go for it.
SV: I totally get what you’re saying, but what I’m wondering is why these things are so important to you. In Metal, normally, the music tends to be more apolitical…
Raoul: The thing is that I’m fairly new to the Metal genre. I’m a Nu Metal guy and I’ve always been into bands like LINKIN PARK and LIMP BIZKIT and they do tend to get political. There is also RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, which is completely political and War Pigs by BLACK SABBATH. My earliest exposure to Metal was political and it’s the best genre to express these topics. My understanding of Metal is that it is political. One of the newest things I’ve learnt in terms of understanding the genre is that it’s just expressing yourself in the most extreme way. It can be anything, really! If you look at ELECTRIC CALLBOY, it’s party music, but expressed in the most extreme way possible and that is Metal as fuck in its own way. You are just talking about spreading happiness and having a good time, but you do it via an extreme expression. In terms of politics, I think Metal really is the best suited genre for being political because it’s about extremes. That’s how you get your point across.
SV: I don’t know if it’s the same thing in your home country, but here there is always a debate about bands being political, where people are saying that they like their music to be apolitical and they often say things like „Who are you to talk about these things?“ or „I like my music to stay out of politics“. Is that something that you face as well?
Raoul: No, not at all. I’ve heard this, but more in a general sense and I completely disagree with it. Every person is entitled to a political opinion. That’s the whole point that people care more. Anyone can be political and should have at least a little bit of an opinion on politics.
SV: Moving on to your upcoming album Nu Delhi, which will be out on March 21st. How does it compare to your first album Rakshak?
Raoul: It’s way heavier! That wasn’t the plan, we weren’t thinking of going in and being like „Let’s fucking smash it!“, you know? We just went into the studio and tapped into the team of Delhi. Our music is always intensely personal, but if it was going to get more personal then it would be through the perspective of Delhi. All of us are deeply bonded to this city. We all grew up there. It’s something you realize as you grow older and see more parts of your country and the world, there is just something special that makes Delhi the city it is. And that was our idea. The main thing is though that it’s heavier and more personal.
SV: Content-wise, Rakshak had a number of very political songs, such as Gaddaar. Will that be continued in Nu Delhi?
Raoul: Yes, but from a more personal standpoint. Halla Bol is a great example, the best example on the album fact: It’s about people who have been through colonialism, people whose ancestors have survived that, but not with the aim of finger pointing. The view is more like you see how the world is progressing and we see people who have been oppressed before, no matter if they are from India or from other parts of the world, come into power today. It’s also not exclusive to race, a lot of people have faced oppression. It can be that they are economically oppressed, it doesn’t have to be about their ethnicity or race. People like that now find themselves in a position of power because the world is a different place, but the power dynamics still exist. There is extreme power as well as extreme helplessness. The theme behind Halla Bol is that you know what it’s like to suffer at the hands of power and now that you are the person with the power, break the cycle of oppression. So it’s heavily political, but very personal. It’s very much talking about your relationship with your ancestors and your current position coming into this position of power. Another example is Daggebaaz which talks about influencer culture, but, on the flip-side, people’s desire to follow other people, to blindly follow, to find someone to worship and idolize.
SV: We have some experience with that in Germany… [we all laugh]
Raoul: Yes, exactly! And you had both sides: Someone misusing their influence, but also the people that want someone to tell them how to live their lives. The song criticizes both sides which creates a sense of balance. If you’re someone who has the ability to influence people, then don’t do it in a way that is going to harm them, don’t sell them ideas or products or things that aren’t going to help them just because it’s going to make you some money. Use your ability in a way that is actually going to help them! And on the flip-side, if you’re someone who is looking for a sense of direction, find a balance and don’t just blindly follow through with everything, just because you think a person is right. Have your own sense of identity and make your own decisions. Take the best of what people have to offer, but make decisions for yourself as well. Don’t blindly look for someone to follow and be the answer for your entire life.
SV: So it’s a very BLOODYWOOD way of a call to action and being like „Come on, you can do this!“
Raoul: Exactly! Rely on yourself! And also, fuck you if you’re using your power for the wrong reasons and if you’re misleading people. So, as I said, it is very political, but from a more personal standpoint.
SV: You have achieved a lot so far, so what are your goals with this album?
Raoul: Our goals are always the limit, you know? Our aim is to be the biggest band we can be. That is why we are trying to create a balance between enjoying the moment and enjoying the success we’ve had and whatever we do have right now, but everything is done with the goal of becoming as big as we can get.
SV: Speaking of goals, this European tour has been going so well and a lot of gigs are sold out or are about to sell out, so this certainly has to be some kind of highlight for you. What have been moments for you during the tour where you thought that this couldn’t possibly be real that you were experiencing this?
Raoul: Cologne really stood out to me! All the audiences so far have been amazing and it’s been our first time in countries like Sweden and Norway. Going there and experiencing these countries for the first time was really awesome. The energy at all the shows has been great. You have shows where people may be very loud or very physical, but the energy in the room will always be great and inspire you and push you to be better and it really takes you to a level you can’t get to when you practice. Cologne stood out because it was both a loud and physical audience. It really was the best of both worlds which was a great experience.
SV: Amazing energy all around so far then!
Raoul: Totally! I’d say it’s also about the experience as a whole because it’s three times the tickets we sold last time and the people are coming out in numbers to support us for which we are always so grateful.
SV: Looking into the future, both of 2025 and beyond, what is something that is on your bucket list that you really want to do or achieve?
Raoul: The goal is always huge! The goal is to have the biggest songs in the world and to bring Metal back into the mainstream and getting the world to listen to Metal again. There have been points in history where that has happened, so that’s always the goal. A more ground goal would be to have full-circle moments at festivals we have played before. I won’t say much because things are in the works, but it’s more about coming back to places where we got our chance and made a start and it would be amazing to go back the way we are now and be able to play bigger stages and longer slots.
SV: I have no doubt that you’re going to achieve that! Unfortunately, our time is already coming to an end. As a last thing, what is a personal piece of advice you would like to offer the fans?
Raoul: That’s tough, there is a lot out there… Be fearless in the pursuit of your goals. The fear of failure prevents us from doing a lot of things. You think about what could go wrong and what would happen if you try. The thing is that it’s way worse if you don’t try. Failure can happen, but that’s not the end of it, instead it’ll teach you how to do better. So, again: Be fearless in the pursuit of your goals and don’t be afraid of failing!
Shieldmaiden's Voice 