Heavy metal band Bloodywood filled the Roxian with heavy metal from New Delhi, India with their Rakshak tour. The tour featured songs from Bloodywood’s debut album of the same name. The band got their start by doing heavy metal parody covers of songs on YouTube, and quickly found their place in the metal world. In 2019, after just a few years of doing covers, they were invited to perform at Wacken Open Air, one of the largest metal festivals that every band dreams of performing at. Since then, Bloodywood has continued to grow at an exponential rate, with their original work being a refreshingly unique blend of nu metal and Indian folk metal. This tour was their second ever tour in the US.
Opening the show was electronic-rock group from the UK, Wargasm. With a sound that’s a mix of punk, nu metal, and post-hardcore, Wargasm brought an incredible intensity. Their sex-laced punk energy was absolutely contagious and got the crowd jumping from the very start. Frontman Sam Matlock capitalized on this energy and, after jumping around the stage for the full set, did a little crowdsurfing himself. Equal parts heavy, intense, and fun, Wargasm got the energy pumped up high for the rest of the night.
Next up was metal band Vended. Vended took the already hyped crowd to a whole new level. Donning masks and blue make-up, the band jumped right in with their dark and heavy set. Their intense vocals were filled with pure unadulterated emotion. The group formed in 2018 but spent years perfecting their craft before debuting their first album in 2021, and their hard work and dedication paid off ten-fold. Their music isn’t just heavy and powerful, but also brings deep, powerful messages, which amplifies the intensity. Vended have already made a name for themselves in such a short amount of time and are going to continue to grow until they’re a household name in the metal scene.
After two fantastic bands, it was finally time for Bloodywood to take the stage. And from the second they stepped out, they commanded all eyes on them. Bringing a taste of India to the US, the band utilize traditional Indian instruments in their music, including a flute and a dhol, a double-headed drum, which add a refreshing feel to the typical guitar/bass/drums of metal shows. With both gutteral growls and melodic vocals, Bloodywood maintained an incredible energy throughout their set. The passion they pour into their music was palpable, which magnified the intensity. Bloodywood bring messages of diversity and acceptance with their music, that it doesn’t matter where you’re from, what your religion is, or who you love. These incredibly important messages are very much needed in the world today, and it’s very clear that the band believe full-heartedly in these messages. Bloodywood have very quickly proven themselves to be a powerhouse band, both in the studio and live on stage, and have earned their place in the metal world.
