This week, we’re talking to Norwegian melodic hardcore band, Ondt Blod (literal translation of ‘Bad Blood’). Singing entirely in their native tongue, the band are set to release their second album, ’Natur’ on this Friday (March 9th).
Skilfully blending together elements of hardcore, punk, and metal, Ondt Blod are a force to be reckoned with, providing aggressive verses and soaring choruses. ’Natur’ demonstrates the band performing at their absolute best across ten powerful tracks.
While through vocalist Aslak Heika Hætta Bjørn, the band produce a strong political message on ’Natur’. Having spent time as a political activist, as well as a being secretary on the board of environment and economy politics in the Red party (aka Norwegian socialist party), the album sees Aslak sing about the on-going colonization and oppression that is affecting the native Sami people of Lapland. Songs such as ‘Unge Kniva’ (‘Young Knives’) offer a rallying call while on ‘Store Ord (Røyk Og Speil) (‘Big Words (Smoke and Mirrors)’) and the title track, Ondt Blod capture the struggles Sami people have faced.
In anticipation of ’Natur’, Ondt Blod’s Aslak discussed ’Music by Numbers’. From songs he wishes he had written to items he never leaves for tour without.
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1 Artist I Couldn’t Live Without…
Ondt Blod
2 People I Know, That Shaped My Passion For Music…
Håvard Rushfeldt – our drummer
Carl Christian Lein Størmer – singer of Tromsø HC outfit Turdus Musicus, the first hardcore band I got into.
3 Songs You Wish You’d Written…
The Cure – Friday I´m in Love
Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas is You
Michael Jackson – Thriller
4 Bands Everyone Should Hear…
Jabba, Västerbron, Heave Blood & Die, Barren Womb and Oasis.
5 Songs You Love…
The Mountain Goats – The Best Ever Death Metal Band out of Denton
Alvvays – Archie, Marry Me
Young Guv – Ripe 4 Luv
Hot Water Music – Rooftops
Simon and Garfunkel – America
6 Bands You’re Keen To Play With…
Teksti Tv-666
Les Savy Fav
Japandroids
Cloud Nothings
White Lung
Bruce Springsteen
7 Places You’d Love To Play…
The Oslo Opera
A cool mountain
Antarctica
An active volcano
The ocean floor
Outer space
Bastard Bar in Tromsø
8 Essential Tour Items…
Plenty of socks, noise-cancelling headphones, a lunchbox, water bottle, toothbrush, Aux-wire, painkillers, and pills for heartburn.
9 Words To Describe Your Band…
Catchy but kind of heavy really cool band, yeah!
10 Favourite Albums Of All Time…
Refused – The Shape of Punk to Come
Like Rats From a Sinking Ship – We Get Along Like a House on Fire
Against Me! – New Wave
Deafheaven – New Bermuda
Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
Gallows – Grey Britain
Have Heart – Songs to Scream at the Sun
Mastodon – Leviathan
Weezer – Weezer (Blue Album)
Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell
‘Natur’ by Ondt Blod is released on 9th March on Fysisk Format.
