Blooddrunk (song)
Encyclopedia
"Blooddrunk" is a 2008 single
by Finnish
melodic death metal
band Children of Bodom
, taken from their 2008 album Blooddrunk
. The lyrics focus upon "self-destructive behaviour", and being addicted to hurting yourself. Written solely by Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho
, the song was generally well received by critics.
Directed by Sandra Marschner and produced by Katapult Filmproduktion, the accompanying music video was filmed at former Nazi barracks in Krampnitz situated near Berlin. The film is set in an abandoned ghost town; Laiho described the area as "a really creepy looking environment". "Blooddrunk" debuted at number one on the Finnish singles charts in its first week of release, and remained in the top twenty of the Finnish singles chart for six weeks following its release.
One interviewer commented that the phrase "blood drunk" appears in the 2007 movie 300
, although Laiho stated that he heard the phrase prior to watching the film. "I think it's just some sort of expression and it fits, you know?", Laiho observed.
critic Jim Kaz as a "gothic" "flourish". The track then "degenerates" into a set of "muscular" riffs, riffs that Kaz dubbed "frenetic". The chorus then enters, hailed by PopMatters
critic Adrien Begrand as "effective". Begrand also commented that "Blooddrunk" is "chugging".
Keyboardist Janne Wirman
noted that "Blooddrunk" is the first song since the group's debut album (1997's Something Wild) to feature a triplet
, and felt the track was "really fresh musically" for that reason.
of Germany.
Set in an abandoned "hellhole" ghost town, Laiho described the area as "a really creepy looking environment". Laiho went on to comment that "no one has lived there for years".
On February 18, the music video premiered on both the internet and Finnish television.
in Finland. In its first week of release, the single debuted at number one on the Finnish singles chart. "Blooddrunk" stayed in that position for one week, and remained in the top twenty of the Finnish singles chart for six weeks following its release. On March 3, the single was issued in the rest of Europe. On that same day, What Records issued three limited-edition versions of the single in the United Kingdom; an enhanced CD single, a 7" vinyl single, and a 12" vinyl single picture disc. The single's enhanced CD version featured a cover of Billy Idol
's "Rebel Yell
", and the music video for "Blooddrunk". Limited to 1,000 copies worldwide, the 7" vinyl version included a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival
's "Lookin' Out My Back Door" as its B-side. The single's limited 12" vinyl picture disc release was distributed with 666 numbered copies, and 1,000 copies overall. A reinterpretation of Stone
's "No Command" comprised the B-side, and all purchased copies came with a sticker.
Critics were generally positive when reviewing "Blooddrunk". PopMatters critic Adrien Begrand felt the track was "certain to become a live favorite".
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
melodic death metal
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
band Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
, taken from their 2008 album Blooddrunk
Blooddrunk
-Personnel:Children of Bodom*Alexi Laiho – vocals, guitar*Roope Latvala – guitar*Janne Wirman – keyboards*Henkka Seppälä – bass*Jaska Raatikainen – drumsProduction*Produced, recorded, and mixed by Mikko Karmila*Vocals recorded by Peter Tägtgren...
. The lyrics focus upon "self-destructive behaviour", and being addicted to hurting yourself. Written solely by Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho
Alexi Laiho
Alexi "Wildchild" Laiho is a Finnish singer, composer, and guitarist. He is best known for being the lead guitarist as well as lead vocalist for melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, and he is also the guitarist for Sinergy and Kylähullut...
, the song was generally well received by critics.
Directed by Sandra Marschner and produced by Katapult Filmproduktion, the accompanying music video was filmed at former Nazi barracks in Krampnitz situated near Berlin. The film is set in an abandoned ghost town; Laiho described the area as "a really creepy looking environment". "Blooddrunk" debuted at number one on the Finnish singles charts in its first week of release, and remained in the top twenty of the Finnish singles chart for six weeks following its release.
Origins
According to Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho, "Blooddrunk" concerns "self-destructive behaviour", and "being addicted to spilling your own blood". Laiho felt that he had hurt himself "more than ever" over the course of a two year period (between 2005–2007), and arrived at the conclusion that he was addicted to hurting himself "so bad". When discussing the track in interviews, Laiho has made reference to the fact that he self-harmed in the past. However, Laiho has noted that the song isn't "necessarily just about cutting yourself but about other things you do to yourself and you don't know why".One interviewer commented that the phrase "blood drunk" appears in the 2007 movie 300
300 (film)
300 is a 2007 American fantasy action film based on the 1998 comic series of the same name by Frank Miller. It is a fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, while Miller served as executive producer and consultant...
, although Laiho stated that he heard the phrase prior to watching the film. "I think it's just some sort of expression and it fits, you know?", Laiho observed.
Musical structure
"Blooddrunk" is 4 minutes 5 seconds long. A keyboard opens the track, described by IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
critic Jim Kaz as a "gothic" "flourish". The track then "degenerates" into a set of "muscular" riffs, riffs that Kaz dubbed "frenetic". The chorus then enters, hailed by PopMatters
PopMatters
PopMatters is an international webzine of cultural criticism that covers many aspects of popular culture. PopMatters publishes reviews, interviews, and detailed essays on most cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, films, books, video games, comics, sports, theater,...
critic Adrien Begrand as "effective". Begrand also commented that "Blooddrunk" is "chugging".
Keyboardist Janne Wirman
Janne Wirman
Janne Viljami "Warman" Wirman is a Finnish musician; he is the keyboardist for the bands Children of Bodom and Warmen.-Biography:Born in the town of Espoo, Finland, Janne Wirman began playing the piano at the age of five...
noted that "Blooddrunk" is the first song since the group's debut album (1997's Something Wild) to feature a triplet
Tuplet
In music a tuplet is "any rhythm that involves dividing the beat into a different number of equal subdivisions from that usually permitted by the...
, and felt the track was "really fresh musically" for that reason.
Music video
In December 2007, Children of Bodom travelled to Berlin, Germany in order to film two music videos - for the songs "Blooddrunk" and "Hellhounds On My Trail" respectively - in support of sixth studio album Blooddrunk. Both videos were directed by Sandra Marschner, and produced by Katapult Filmproduktion. "Blooddrunk"'s music video was filmed at former Nazi barracks in Krampnitz near Berlin, an area where the Russian army was stationed prior to the reunificationGerman reunification
German reunification was the process in 1990 in which the German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany , and when Berlin reunited into a single city, as provided by its then Grundgesetz constitution Article 23. The start of this process is commonly referred by Germans as die...
of Germany.
Set in an abandoned "hellhole" ghost town, Laiho described the area as "a really creepy looking environment". Laiho went on to comment that "no one has lived there for years".
On February 18, the music video premiered on both the internet and Finnish television.
Critical reception
"Blooddrunk" was released on February 27, 2008 by Spinefarm RecordsSpinefarm Records
Spinefarm Records is a Finland-based record label focusing mainly on heavy metal artists. In 1999, a sub-label titled Spikefarm Records was started by Sami Tenetz from Thy Serpent...
in Finland. In its first week of release, the single debuted at number one on the Finnish singles chart. "Blooddrunk" stayed in that position for one week, and remained in the top twenty of the Finnish singles chart for six weeks following its release. On March 3, the single was issued in the rest of Europe. On that same day, What Records issued three limited-edition versions of the single in the United Kingdom; an enhanced CD single, a 7" vinyl single, and a 12" vinyl single picture disc. The single's enhanced CD version featured a cover of Billy Idol
Billy Idol
William Michael Albert Broad , better known by his stage name Billy Idol, is an English rock musician. A member of the Bromley Contingent of Sex Pistols fans, Idol first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X...
's "Rebel Yell
Rebel Yell (song)
"Rebel Yell" is the first song on the Billy Idol album of the same name. When first released in 1984, it charted outside the UK Top 40, but a re-issue in 1985 reached #6. It did not fare as well in the US, only reaching #46...
", and the music video for "Blooddrunk". Limited to 1,000 copies worldwide, the 7" vinyl version included a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Creedence Clearwater Revival was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums....
's "Lookin' Out My Back Door" as its B-side. The single's limited 12" vinyl picture disc release was distributed with 666 numbered copies, and 1,000 copies overall. A reinterpretation of Stone
Stone (band)
Stone was a thrash metal band formed in Kerava, Finland in the mid-1980s. They released four albums and one live album during the late 1980s and early 1990s, before disbanding in 1991 to pursue different musical directions. Stone reunited to play a final set of concerts in 2000, but parted ways...
's "No Command" comprised the B-side, and all purchased copies came with a sticker.
Critics were generally positive when reviewing "Blooddrunk". PopMatters critic Adrien Begrand felt the track was "certain to become a live favorite".
Formats and tracklistings
Release history
| Region | Date |
|---|---|
| Finland Finland Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside... |
February 27, 2008 |
| Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
March 3, 2008 |