Wandering through the streets of Camden Rocks Festival in 2016, a powerful burst engulfed my mind. Like Scooby Doo I went in search of this mystery of energy. I found it that afternoon in the Canalside bar. Inside said bar were a plethora of minds going crazy to a beat, rhythm and feral riffs with passionate vocals. This was my introduction to Harrogate’s very own, Blood Youth.
Formed in 2014 they unleashed themselves to the world in 2015 with EP Inside My Head. The Harrogate boys proceeded with 2016’s Closure, released via record label Rude Records. Blood Youth concentrated on touring, stomping and ripping their way through the scene of the UK and Europe supporting Silverstein, While She Sleeps, Architects and Beartooth. Gaining momentum with festival appearances at Download, Camden Rocks, Ghostfest and Destruction Derby.
In a few short years, Blood Youth have immersed themselves in their music, writing their first full length record Beyond Repair out 7th April 2017. Kaya Tarsus, lead vocalists explains:
These songs are about how we deal with anger in the modern age. When I was writing I became fascinated with heartbreak and how everybody deals with this trauma in their own way. Many tend to numb the pain in an attempt to forget, instead of facing it head on, this is something I am guilty of myself. We were aiming to create something very aggressive but very real. With Beyond Repair, I believe we have achieved just that.
So, Blood Youth are about to get real angry. Beyond Repair opens with “Making Waves”: Chris Pritchard’s thumping guitar riff is met by Kaya Tarsus’s incredible vocals. Oh, man, this is intense and the flavour of the day is angst and “What I’m Running From” carries the tide.
This is heart on your sleeve stuff and “Savanna” brings it in abundance. The energy is G-Force power, in your face music and while sitting in an empty café in Stratford a mosh pit could still ensue. “This is the year of self-destruction” opens “Parasite”, Sam Hallett on drums brings the pain if you will, his force brings out the hurt in Kaya Tarsus’s mic skills; a trio which gets the best of everyone.
“I Remember” and “Reason to Stay” are two tracks that have hardcore and melody coinciding like two factions that would never live together. Screaming clean vocals have made this record a piece of work that the guys must have bled, cried and laughed over. “Reason to Stay” has a music video, check it out at the bottom of the page.
“Pulling Teeth” is one of the highlights of this record. The aggression, the emotion surrounding the riffs and the pounding of the drums is hardcore, it is hardcore, this is “Holy shit” music. If this track was a boxing match, then everyone would be standing up to applaud these warriors. Then we get “Bless”; it just doesn’t stop, the ferocity of the drums against the guitar and vocals is immense, right up to the last second with “Man Made Disasters”. Blood Youth have given the hardcore community a taste of what’s to come from these three fellas.
Blood Youth produce adrenaline fueled hardcore music. It’s the only cardio you need. Forget personal trainers, year-long memberships to a gym you’ll never go to, just feel the intensity to Beyond Repair and embrace the burn.
Beyond Repair is out on April 7th
Catch them live:
- April 8th The Garage, Glasgow
- April 9th The Key Club, Leeds
- April 10th Boston Music Room, London
