INTRODUCING: Blood Command

Sometimes, bands get massive off the back of a single record – one only has to think of SLIPKNOT, who began their first ever world tour at London’s Astoria in December 1999 and returned to the capital less than three months later to a sold out Brixton Academy. For others though, it can be a very slow climb to prominence, as is the case of Norway’s BLOOD COMMAND. Three albums and four EPs down the line, one would have thought the self-proclaimed ‘deathpop’ outfit would have been far bigger than they actually are given their unique brand of music. For guitarist ad original member Yngve Andersen though, it’s never crossed his mind.

“I guess it’s the consequence of listening to mostly underground bands and letting them be your main influence,” he explains. “We don’t wanna ‘break’ or anything. We just want to play for our fans, whether there are five or five thousand. We’ve done that for 10 years now and still loving it.”

Formed in 2008, the band – whose lineup is completed by bassist Simon Oliver Økland, drummer Sigurd Haakaas and vocalist Karina Ljone – released fourth EP Return of the Arsonist earlier this year, their first new material since 2017’s killer Cult Drugs album. Before then was a five year gap between material as the band toured previous release Plastic Beach and overcame the departure of original singer Silje Tombre. Now, stronger than ever, the band are revving up to go on tour with SKINDRED across Europe later in the year, and Yngve can hardly wait. “We’ve heard they´re the coolest guys and have the craziest fans, so we can’t wait for that. It will be a cool package.”

There is one question that’s sticking though – deathpop as a style of music? What’s that when it’s at home? “We don’t fit fully in any genre, really, so we had to come up with our own.” Yngve divulges. “Deathpop describes us perfectly; it’s both dangerous and sweet. We’re punk but something more. We have hardcore influences, but on another level than your average ‘hardcore-is-cool-bands’. We’re rock, but we’re not your 8-ball, flames, skulls and leather jacket rock, nor are we your FOO FIGHTERS toothless rock. We’re pop, but we’re not THE BACKSTREET BOYS in any way.”

The notion of FOO FIGHTERS being toothless is certainly strong, but BLOOD COMMAND are not afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves – or their influences, for that matter. “We´re pretty into REFUSED from Sweden, I think that’s no secret. HOT SNAKES/DRIVE LIKE JEHU have had a lot to say on our early stuff, NEW ORDER gave us all the synths we have on Cult Drugs and BLOOD BROTHERS have had a strong say; we’re called almost the same, for one. ABBA are the best band in the world, so of course we’ve taken some stuff from them and San Diego record label ThreeOneG have made its mark on us too when it comes to inspirations, with SOME GIRLS, THE LOCUST and SWING KIDS. You may not hear it on the first listen, but oh boy it’s there!”

Citing both REFUSED and ABBA as major players on their sound in the same breath could only come from a band who will make you throw shapes one moment and sing for the high notes the next and it won’t be long before they’re throwing more music at the world – a new album is just around the corner. “We’ve already recorded all of the music,” Yngve confirms. “We’re recording vocals for it this summer and it will kick some serious ass.”

It would be safe to assume that some of this material will get an airing during the autumn run with SKINDRED, but UK fans will have to wait a little bit before getting to see them live. “We have something planned, but can’t say anything at this point. We love to play the UK and will do that many times more,” Yngve says, before also letting us know of a moment in Glasgow that ranks among his weirdest shows. “We played a show there in the fall of last year and a drunk girl started to roll a spliff whilst sitting on the stage and wanted to talk to us during the show. That was weird but funny as hell! [laughs]”

In good spirits, Yngve leaves Distorted Sound with the cryptic words of “There’s signs all around you. Go look for them.” In this case, if you’ve been looking for a band that combines pop sensibility with punk abrasion and the all out attack of metal, BLOOD COMMAND may well be the only sign you’ll need for the time being.

Return Of The Arsonist is out now via Fysisk Format. 

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