Releasing 10th May, 2026

From Mumbai comes a band that embraces thrash metal with a new EP, a fresh set of thinking, and an open door into an underground sound we in the western world take for granted.

One of the most enjoyable things about listening to metal is hearing a band learning their craft in real time. With heads full of ideas that bodies aren’t ready for. The hunger to make the dream real is given to us regardless.
From the scratchy guitar and bass tones from the amps you can afford, to the attuned grinding tone from a learned ear. Drummers will find a desired spot and impact for that perfect snare pop, and vocalists discover mouth, tongue and breathing techniques that can maximise performance with lesser degrees of effort. We, as listeners, share that evolution… and both artist and witness feed each other’s desire for more.

BLOODKILL, a thrash band from the west coast city of Mumbai, have shared their sonic travels since 2016, with a DIY ethic put out piece by piece up until this point. Each release and refinement out there for all to hear.
So, with their latest offering coming, what have one of our closest Asian cousins got to offer from the street level?

We start with the title track. A solid stab at the sort of Forbidden/Flotsam & Jetsam with tidy and complex riffing and vocals from the gut. Even if the mix is a bit airy, I’m of an age that puts up with umpteenth copied cassette tapes, the sound is clear and the energy is undeniable.

DIGITAL SPELL follows, and with it, a shift in approach. Here, a song about online addiction is given a Germanic vibe, with its driving beat and crowd friendly transitions. The mosh section is addictive with a fine solo to finish. It may be a highlight if not for what follows…

With the sort of eager urgency reserved for the most defiant thrasher, TEMPTRESS throws caution to the wind and blasts a modern thrash blend of death, the chorus shines, it is a well placed moment of respite between well capitalised aggression.

BLOODKILL have a knack for track selection, because they have kept the momentum upward leading to the final track.
THE HIDDEN HANDS is a culmination of what was before and amalgamated into bolt-to- the-brain, groove ridden hit. Stylish lead work, imaginative drumming and articulate vocals make this track an instant playlist addition.

Of course, India is no stranger to metal, like anywhere else in the world, but seldom do the algorithms or the western media cover underground acts with real boots on the ground.
Bloodywood may have stolen the hearts of the world, while more extreme acts like Demonic Resurrection and Bhayanak Maut give us real pause for thought.
These are the exemptions, SYSTEMIC DISRUPTION is the rule we can take a lesson from. The more I listen to it, the more I realise the importance of global underground music. The familiarities are there for comfort only. The real reward is finding the unique ways that they are implemented.

SYSTEMIC DISRUPTION, EP will be released on 10th of May and available on major streaming sites.

Also available on digital formats through the the BLOODKILL BANDCAMP.