If there’s one idea that has shaped BLOODRED more than any other, it’s this:
Music doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.
In fact, I’d argue the opposite. What moves us in music often lies in the cracks — in the rough edges, the uneven textures, the moments that aren’t polished into oblivion. That’s where real emotion lives. That’s where the soul of a song begins.
This isn’t a rejection of quality or craft. It’s about something deeper. A conscious decision. A statement of intent. And in many ways, a reflection of who I am — as a musician, and as a person.
Choosing Imperfection — On Purpose
Let’s be clear: imperfection doesn’t mean being careless. It’s not a free pass for sloppy production or half-finished ideas. For me, it means understanding where my strengths lie — and being okay with where they don’t. It’s about working with what I have, not hiding behind overproduction or pretending to be someone I’m not.
I’ve never been a shredder. I don’t think of myself as a technically brilliant guitarist. What I have developed over time is a specific, personal language — one that fits the world of BLOODRED and feels true to how I experience music.
Vocals are a good example. If I listen back to my first EP, The Lost Ones, I hear plenty of things I’d do differently today — and that’s fine. It was the best I could do at the time. I’ve grown since then, both in performance and confidence. But even now, I sometimes leave in vocal takes that aren’t flawless. Not because I didn’t notice — but because they carry something that a second, “cleaner” take might smooth out completely.
I don’t want BLOODRED to sound sterile. I don’t want every second aligned to a grid, every note scrubbed until it sparkles. That may impress on a technical level, but it rarely moves me. I want the music to breathe. I want it to live — and living things aren’t perfect.
The Music Is Me
When you do almost everything yourself — songwriting, lyrics, arrangements, (some) recording — there’s no separation between the music and the person behind it. BLOODRED is me. Every note, every word, every shift in tone reflects something personal. It’s not calculated; it’s instinctive.
Over the years, my lyrics have become more direct, more grounded in what matters to me. And the music has followed that same path. Each release marks a specific moment in my life — emotionally, mentally, even physically. I don’t chase trends. I don’t write to meet expectations. I write to figure things out. To wrestle with ideas, emotions, and contradictions — and to channel all of that into sound.
Of course, BLOODRED exists within the realm of extreme metal. But part of what I’ve always loved about this culture is its capacity to bend, break, and reshape boundaries. I still believe metal should challenge, not conform. So if the new album cover doesn’t look like “typical” black or death metal, that’s no accident. I want to communicate something real — not just echo an aesthetic.
This approach didn’t come from a single moment of clarity. It evolved. As I grew older, as I grew into myself, I learned to trust that I didn’t need to fulfill anyone’s checklist. And that’s still a process. But I’m getting better at it.
No Mask, No Script
In a world that often rewards image over substance, I’ve never been interested in creating a persona. BLOODRED isn’t a role I play — it’s an extension of who I am. What you hear in the songs and see in the visuals is just that: me, without theatrical framing or artifice.
That doesn’t mean I don’t think about presentation. Of course I do. There are photos, videos, social posts — all of that matters. But I don’t use those things to build a brand. I use them to offer a glimpse into what drives the music. Not everything is shared. But what is shared is honest.
I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: I don’t enjoy being in the spotlight. I’d much rather let the music speak for itself. Still, I know that today, some degree of visibility is necessary. What matters to me is how it’s done — and why. If the communication around BLOODRED doesn’t reflect the same values as the music, something’s off. So I try to keep it aligned: direct, minimal, and real.
Staying Real in an Unreal World
And that brings me to the broader point: In a time where everything is filtered, curated, and fine-tuned, authenticity matters more than ever.
We’ve all seen how social media has transformed the way artists present themselves — and how people perceive themselves. Everything is polished, hyper-managed, often detached from anything resembling reality. That aesthetic has bled into the music world as well. You hear albums that sound pristine, almost inhuman in their precision — technically impressive, emotionally hollow.
I find that not only tiring, but also troubling.
Because when we consume only perfect images, perfect performances, perfect lives, we start to internalize those as expectations. And those expectations are, more often than not, unreachable. We’re not all virtuosos. We don’t all look like models. We don’t all live in high-contrast, algorithm-approved moments.
And that’s okay. Or at least it should be.
The danger is when people — especially younger artists — start chasing that illusion. When they believe they have to be that polished version of someone else in order to be valid. That’s where burnout, self-doubt, and mental strain creep in. Not because they’re failing — but because they’re comparing themselves to something that was never real to begin with.
That’s why I see authenticity as a form of resistance. It’s quiet, maybe. But it’s powerful. It’s saying: I’ll show up as I am — not as some projection of what’s expected.
And to me, that’s still what metal is about. Rebellion, in a very modern form. Not just against society or systems, but against the pressure to become a product. Staying real is the rebellion now. Staying imperfect, flawed, evolving — that’s the stand.
Final Thought
I didn’t write this to make a grand statement. Just to share something that sits at the core of what I do. BLOODRED has never been about fitting in. It’s always been about carving out a space that feels honest.
Sometimes that space is messy. Sometimes it’s loud, raw, and full of contradictions. But it’s mine. And if any of that resonates with you — not just as a listener, but as a human being — then maybe we’ve already connected in the most important way.
Because there’s strength in imperfection.
There’s beauty in the cracks.
And sometimes, the most powerful voice is the one that dares to remain human.
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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