When we think of Blackened Death Metal, it’s often the sound that strikes first: intensity, atmosphere, precision. But for BLOODRED, lyrics have grown to hold just as much weight as riffs and rhythm. They are not just carriers of emotion—they shape identity, intention, and interpretation. This post takes a look behind the veil: how BLOODRED’s lyrics have evolved, how they are written, and why many of them now reach far beyond the borders of genre and into the realm of political and social discourse.
From Echoes of the Genre to a Personal Voice
Looking back at the early days of BLOODRED, the lyrics were still searching for their place. On the first EP, The Lost Ones, both songs were built on existing literary texts—mainly dark, atmospheric poetry and stories that resonated with the overall tone of the music. One of them clearly leaned into Lovecraftian themes. This wasn’t just an aesthetic choice, but also a practical one: English isn’t my native language, and at the time, I didn’t feel confident enough to write original lyrics that lived up to what I wanted them to be. Using pre-existing material helped me focus on the musical side, while still delivering lyrics that felt right for the style.
That said, I’ve always believed that words carry weight. So it didn’t take long before I wanted to go further. On Nemesis, the second full release, I included “The Hail-Storm,” which uses a Nordic text as its lyrical foundation. That track marked the first step toward integrating more culturally rooted material—not just for the sake of variety, but because I found those themes genuinely powerful and inspiring. It was a way to broaden the scope, to let different voices speak through BLOODRED, and to deepen the emotional palette.
But the real shift came when I began writing my own lyrics—when I started pulling from personal experiences, reflections, and reactions to the world around me. There wasn’t one moment or one song that triggered it; it just grew over time. I realized that the strongest lyrics are the ones that come from a real place—something that moves you, challenges you, or simply won’t let go. Since then, the external sources have faded into the background, and the voice of BLOODRED has become more and more my own.
Today, the lyrics are an equal partner to the music. They’re not something that gets added on at the end—they develop alongside the songs, shaping the atmosphere and direction just as much as the guitars or drums do. I don’t expect everyone to read every word. But if someone takes the time to dive into the lyrics, I hope they’ll find something worth thinking about—something that lingers beyond the last note.
Writing in Context: How the Lyrics Are Born
These days, lyrics are there from the very beginning. That wasn’t always the case—on the earlier releases, I often wrote the lyrics only after the music was already finished. And to be honest, you can hear that disconnect. The words felt like they were added on top, instead of being part of the song’s core. That’s something I’ve worked hard to change.
Now, when I write a song, I already have a rough lyrical idea in mind—sometimes just a word, sometimes a mood, sometimes a whole concept. The music and lyrics grow together, and the vocal phrasing often takes shape as I write the riffs. That back-and-forth is important to me. The lyrics help define the emotion and direction of the song just as much as the instruments do.
Inspiration can come from anywhere. A news story that hits a nerve. A personal experience that won’t leave me alone. A phrase in a book that lingers. I try to stay open to those moments. Some songs start with a single line that I can’t get out of my head. Others take shape more slowly. But once the spark is there, I follow it.
I don’t follow a fixed method when writing. Some songs need short, direct lines with a lot of impact. Others need more space—longer phrases, more room to breathe. I write what fits the music and the message. I try to avoid clichés, but I also want the lyrics to feel like they belong in this genre. There’s a fine line between being true to the style and just repeating what’s been said a thousand times. I try to stay on the right side of that line.
As the lyrics take shape, I revise a lot. I haven’t thrown out an entire song text yet, but many have gone through several versions. Sometimes a word just doesn’t sit right when sung. Sometimes a whole section needs to be rewritten because it doesn’t carry the weight I need it to. At the end of the day, a lyric has to feel right—both in terms of rhythm and meaning. It has to work musically, but it also has to say something. When those two things come together, that’s when I know it’s finished.
And not every lyric wants to say something clearly. Some are meant to be abstract—especially when they deal with very personal issues. In those cases, metaphor is a kind of shield. It allows me to express something honest without putting it completely on display. But when I write about social or political themes, I tend to be more direct. If I’m trying to make a point, I want that point to be understood.
From Atmosphere to Argument – When Lyrics Become a Voice
At some point, I realized that writing lyrics just for the sake of sounding dark wasn’t enough for me anymore. The music still thrives on atmosphere—but the lyrics? They started asking for more. And I started wanting to say more.
Reflecting on BLOODRED’s journey, the track “Collateral Murder” from the album Nemesis stands out as a pivotal moment where personal conviction deeply influenced the music. This song was directly inspired by the harrowing events captured in the “Collateral Murder” video, released by WikiLeaks in 2010. The footage revealed a 2007 incident in Baghdad where a U.S. Apache helicopter attacked a group of individuals, including two Reuters journalists, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries to two children. One particular line from the video resonated profoundly with me: after discovering the wounded children, a pilot remarked, “Well, it’s their fault for bringing their kids into a battle.” This statement struck me deeply, highlighting a tragic misjudgment. The individuals targeted were not engaged in combat but were victims of a grievous error by the military. Through “Collateral Murder,” I aimed to channel my outrage and sorrow over this incident, using the song as a medium to reflect on the broader implications of such actions and to question the narratives often presented during wartime.
It was never a masterplan. The lyrics just began to reflect what I think about, what angers me, what scares me, and sometimes, what gives me hope. And once you start writing that way, it’s hard to go back. There’s too much happening out there, too many things worth speaking up about—even if only in your own small way.
That’s what I try to do: speak up. I’m not interested in preaching or converting anyone. I don’t expect people to agree with everything I write. But if a line makes someone stop and think—even just for a second—that’s already something. I want the lyrics to have weight. I want them to stand for something.
Of course, I’m aware of the line between honest expression and empty slogans. I’m not here to hand out moral lessons or wear ideology like a costume. But sometimes, the message needs to be loud and clear. There are moments when ambiguity feels like avoidance. In those moments, I say what I mean—directly.
Still, I’m not trying to missionize. That’s a line I won’t cross. I want BLOODRED to be a voice in the noise, not a megaphone telling people what to think. The lyrics are there to offer perspective, not certainty. They’re a reflection of my thoughts—not universal truths.
I know not everyone listens closely to lyrics. And that’s fine. But I do hope that those who do will find something in them—an idea, a question, a feeling—that lingers. Something that might change how they hear the music. Or how they look at the world.
In Closing
These lyrics—shaped by instinct, reflection, and conviction—have become much more than words layered onto music. They are part of the identity, the intention, and the voice of BLOODRED. Whether abstract or direct, personal or political, every line is there for a reason. If any of this resonates with you—or even challenges you—I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Inside BLOODRED is the official blog and news section of BLOODRED. Here you’ll find deeper insights into the music, creative process, and vision behind the band – beyond the noise of social media. A new post is published every three weeks (or so). Comments are welcome, but keep them decent!
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