Blood Inside

Last updated
Blood Inside
Ulver blood inside.jpg
Studio album by
Ulver
ReleasedJune 6, 2005 (2005-06-06)
RecordedJanuary–February 2004 [1]
Genre
Length45:45
Label Jester
Producer Ronan Chris Murphy
Ulver
Ulver chronology
Svidd neger
(2003)		Blood Inside
(2005)		 Shadows of the Sun
(2007)
Ulver studio album chronology
Perdition City
(2000)		Blood Inside
(2005)		 Shadows of the Sun
(2007)

Blood Inside is the sixth full-length studio album by Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver. Produced by Ulver, together with Ronan Chris Murphy, the album was recorded and mixed in early 2004, [1] and issued in June 2005 via Jester Records. The album sees Ulver return to more classically-based arrangements and instrumentation. [2]

Contents

The coda on "It Is Not Sound" is based on Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach. The lyrics for "Christmas" were adapted from the poem of the same name by Portuguese author Fernando Pessoa, written in 1922.

A video clip for "It Is Not Sound" was issued on May 2, 2005, via The End Records’ website, along with audio samples from Blood Inside. [3]

Background

Ulver's sound progresses here even more than on previous records. The music is influenced by several different genres such as rock, jazz, classical music, industrial music, and electronica. [4]

The working title of the album was Utopian Enterprise, then changed to Heart, before the band settled on Blood Inside. [5] Speaking about the evolution of the album, Kristoffer Rygg commented, "Utopian Enterprises is a title we all like and it goes back to Perdition City and some ideas stemming from that period, but as the lyrics took form it did not fit anymore. Then there was the Heart Album. Even we thought that was a bit pretentious. So Jørn and I are walking/talking outside one night trying to figure out what it is all about. Thinking only in key words: heart, blood, red, rose, beauty, violence, body, life, death, ambulance, hospital and so forth. Then it struck us: Blood Inside." [6]

"In terms of genre, it is more rock than electronica. Even a bit psychedelic and/or progressive at times. The mood is kind of sanctified and sad. It has a few frivolous moments as well, but as they say, 'even in laughter the heart is sorrowful' (Proverbs 14:13.). I know there are many people who expect some kind of sequel to Perdition City . It's not. It's got a different kind of sensibility. It's also got far too much sound on it to be similar to our film soundtracks, which are quite often based on very simple and transparent kind of themes." [7]

"[Blood Inside is] kind of counteracting the 'less is more' trip we've been on lately. Our last proper album Perdition City was so keen on being cinematic that it almost read as an application form to the film industry. While we did get into the film industry, our illusions of how fun and easy it would be to score motion pictures were downed pretty fast as soon as we got more acquainted with those people and their working methods. Now, having been a somewhat voiceless and underlying stratum in other people's visions for a while, we just felt like we had to put up a big fat wall of sound this time around." [8]

"Blood Inside is not really that much of an electronic album, but it uses a lot of the technology we learned from our electronica phase. It showed us a different way to make records (while) still following different musical perspectives. They changed all of mine; it's not just true for me, it's true for most people. Blood Inside is like a monster kaleidoscope of illusions, very neatly arranged. As it seems now the next record is going to be without all that covering and more humble, with a more heartbreaking atmosphere; it's not going to be the same at all. We are kind of circular; it's reaction, anti-reaction, reaction, anti-reaction... it plays off each other; that's the way we work. As I said, we're not really good at perfecting a formula or sticking to what we know." [9]

Rygg, commenting in Unrestrained magazine in 2007, also reflected, "That was a very anarchistic album. We revelled in the freedom of not having to play by anyone's rules, our own included. With the EPs and all the stuff we did before, we had rules. The Silence EPs had rules because they were all based on mishaps. That's the whole concept of glitch music. It has to be based on sounds that aren't intended, in a sense. We also had rules laid out for the soundtracks, naturally, so Blood Inside got a little out of control. We just went all over the whole spectrum. I think it's a solid record but it's very different from what we've done now. I think we made some good music. I think the track "Christmas," for instance, and "Your Call" are good tracks. "Your Call" was, by the way, a song that influenced this new record [ Shadows of the Sun ]. It set off the musical tone for this record." [10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg link
Dusted link
SputnikMusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg link
Stylus D- link
Scene Point BlankStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg link
Chronicles of ChaosStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg link

Scene Point Blank described Blood Inside as "a beautifully crafted album of both substance and style. Certainly, Blood Inside is still not for everyone, but those who choose to indulge in this will find themselves rewarded on every level." [11]

SputnikMusic commented, "[Blood Inside] is ambiguous and full of intricate layers and influences working to tell a story that is both haunting and mesmerising. Garm’s beautiful distorted vocals act as outcries of a desperate man hidden, pushed in the background of the story that the instrumentation tells." [12]

Webzine Avantgarde-metal.com concluded: "the sound of the album is maybe their most extravagant, extrovert, dynamic and wild, ranging from swing band to danceable hard electronic pop, with a lot of peaceful moments in between so much energy." [13]

Eduardo Rivadavia, writing for AllMusic, commented, "The Norwegians' first non-soundtrack release in many a year also brings about some notable changes. Foremost among them being the decision to abandon some of the stark minimalism that characterized those efforts, so that by comparison, the predominantly synthesizer-wrought compositions on hand here sound positively sumptuous." Concluding, "As one has come to expect from Ulver, the total end result is unfailing eclectic, remarkably inspiring, and never less than a brave step into the depths of the unknown." [14]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Dressed in Black"7:06
2."For the Love of God"4:11
3."Christmas"6:15
4."Blinded by Blood"6:22
5."It Is Not Sound"4:37
6."The Truth"4:01
7."In the Red"3:30
8."Your Call"6:07
9."Operator"3:36
Total length:45:45

Personnel

Limited-edition release

A limited-edition CD (2000 copies) was released in a red velvet box containing a numbered cardboard sleeve. A limited vinyl version was released by Profound Lore Records. 1000 copies were made in six different colors:

Related Research Articles

Ulver Norwegian experimental/avant-garde band

Ulver is a Norwegian experimental electronica band founded in 1993, by vocalist Kristoffer Rygg. Their early works, such as debut album Bergtatt, were categorised as folklore-influenced black metal, but the band has since evolved a fluid and increasingly eclectic musical style, blending genres such as experimental rock, electronica, ambient, trip hop, symphonic and chamber traditions, noise, progressive and experimental music into their oeuvre. 1997 marked their international debut with the release of their third album Nattens madrigal through German label Century Media. However, following discord with the label, Kristoffer Rygg formed his own imprint, Jester Records, in 1998.

<i>Nattens madrigal</i> 1997 studio album by Ulver

Nattens Madrigal – Aatte Hymne Til Ulven I Manden is the third studio album by Norwegian band Ulver, issued on 3 March 1997 via Century Media. Composed and arranged during the first half of 1995, Nattens is a concept album about wolves, the night, the moon, and the dark side of mankind.

<i>A Quick Fix of Melancholy</i> 2003 EP by Ulver

A Quick Fix of Melancholy is the fourth EP by Norwegian experimental collective Ulver. Produced in the Winter of 2002, the EP was issued on 26 August 2003 via Jester Records. A precursor to the album, Blood Inside, A Quick Fix of Melancholy showcases the band's ability to seamlessly combine ambient and electronic music with orchestral elements.

<i>Bergtatt – Et eeventyr i 5 capitler</i> 1995 studio album by Ulver

Bergtatt – Et eeventyr i 5 capitler is the debut studio album by the Norwegian band Ulver, issued on February, 1995 via Head Not Found. The album was recorded at Endless Lydstudio in Oslo in November and December 1994 with Kristian Romsøe as engineer and co-producer.

<i>Themes from William Blakes The Marriage of Heaven and Hell</i> 1998 studio album by Ulver

Themes from William Blake's The Marriage of Heaven and Hell is the fourth studio album by Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver. Produced with Kristoffer Rygg, together with Knut Magne Valle and Tore Ylwizaker, it was issued on 17 December 1998 via Jester Records. It is a musical adaptation of William Blake's poem The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. The album blends electronics, industrial music elements, progressive metal, avant-garde rock and ambient passages, following Blake's plates as track indexes. Stine Grytøyr, Ihsahn, Samoth and Fenriz all feature as guest vocalists.

<i>Kveldssanger</i> 1996 studio album by Ulver

Kveldssanger is the second studio album by Norwegian band Ulver, issued in March 1996 via Head Not Found. The album was recorded at Endless Lydstudio, Oslo, Norway in the summer and autumn of 1995, with Kristian Romsøe as engineer and co-producer.

<i>Perdition City</i> 2000 studio album by Ulver

Perdition City is the fifth studio album by Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver, issued in March 2000, via Jester Records. The album was recorded and produced by Kristoffer Rygg and Tore Ylwizaker, mixed by Ylwizaker at Beep Jam Studio and mastered by Audun Strype at Strype Audio.

Kristoffer Rygg Musical artist

Kristoffer Rygg, also known as Garm, Trickster G. Rex and God Head, is a heavy-metal vocalist, musician and producer known primarily for his work with Ulver, Arcturus, and Borknagar.

<i>Metamorphosis</i> (EP) 1999 EP by Ulver

Metamorphosis is the first EP by Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver. Written and produced by Kristoffer Rygg and Tore Ylwizaker, the EP was issued on 27 September 1999 via Jester Records. The EP showcased Ulver's new electronic musical direction that would become more readily apparent on the album Perdition City.

<i>Silence Teaches You How to Sing</i> 2001 EP by Ulver

Silence Teaches You How to Sing is an EP by Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver. Recorded and mixed in February 2001, the EP was issued by Jester Records in September 2001. Loosely recorded during the sessions for the Perdition City, together with Silencing the Singing, the EP is a subtle counterpart to the more dramatic full-length, issued in March 2000.

<i>Silencing the Singing</i> 2001 EP by Ulver

Silencing The Singing is an EP by Norwegian experimental collective Ulver. Recorded and mixed in February 2001, the EP was issued by Jester Records in December 2001. Loosely recorded during the sessions for the Perdition City, together with Silence Teaches You How to Sing, the EP is a subtle counterpart to the more dramatic full-length, issued in March 2000.

<i>Lyckantropen Themes</i> 2002 soundtrack album by Ulver

Lyckantropen Themes is an original soundtrack album by Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver. Produced by Ulver on mobile equipment in Oslo, Norway and Stockholm, Sweden in May 2002 for the Swedish short film Lyckantropen, the album was issued in November 2002 via Jester Records. Lyckantropen Themes is Ulver's first foray into film soundtrack music, although musically it has continuity with their previously released EPs, Silence Teaches You How to Sing and Silencing the Singing. The soundtrack has been described as “ambiguous moods and lurking-in-the-shadows electronic ambiances, setting the alternately suspenseful and melancholy mood of the soundtrack.”

<i>Shadows of the Sun</i> 2007 studio album by Ulver

Shadows of the Sun is the seventh studio album by the Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver. Produced by Ulver, the album was issued in October 2007 via Jester Records and The End Records. Officially announced on 13 July 2007, Shadows of the Sun received critical acclaim on release, and was described as "dark and tragic", with "soothing electronics and natural percussion". The album features contributions from Pamelia Kurstin on theremin, Mathias Eick on trumpet, and Austrian white noise musician Christian Fennesz adding electronics and helping Ulver to correspond with their vision on the final product.

<i>Wars of the Roses</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Ulver

Wars of the Roses is the eighth studio album by the Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver. The album was produced by Ulver, with John Fryer and Jaime Gomez Arellano, and issued in the UK on 25 April 2011 via Jester Records and Kscope, preceded by a single, "February MMX", in February. The album was released in the U.S. on 3 May 2011. Wars of the Roses is the first album to feature new member, British composer and multi-instrumentalist Daniel O'Sullivan.

<i>Childhoods End</i> (album) 2012 studio album by Ulver

Childhood's End is a compilation album of cover songs by Norwegian experimental collective Ulver. Produced by Ulver, the album was recorded live in Crystal Canyon Studios, Oslo, over two sessions, in autumn 2008 and summer 2011, and issued in May, 2012 on Jester Records under exclusive license to Kscope.

<i>Messe I.X–VI.X</i> 2013 studio album by Ulver

Messe I.X–VI.X is the ninth studio album by the Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver, created in collaboration with the Tromsø Chamber Orchestra with additional aid from composer Martin Romberg. Written and produced by Ulver, released on October 8, 2013, via Jester Records and Kscope.

<i>Terrestrials</i> (album) 2014 album by Sunn O))) and Ulver

Terrestrials is a collaborative studio album by American drone metal band Sunn O))) and Norwegian experimental music group Ulver. Produced by Stephen O'Malley and Kristoffer Rygg, it was released on February 3, 2014, via Southern Lord Records. It has been described as "three live improvisation pieces".

<i>Live at Roadburn</i> (Ulver album) 2013 live album by Ulver

Live at Roadburn is a live album by Norwegian experimental collective Ulver. Produced by Ulver, the album was recorded at the Roadburn Festival, held at 013, Tilburg, in the Netherlands on 12 April 2012, and issued in April 2013 via Roadburn Records.

<i>ATGCLVLSSCAP</i> 2016 studio album by Ulver

ATGCLVLSSCAP is the tenth studio album by Norwegian experimental electronica band Ulver. Written, performed and produced by Ulver, the album was released on 22 January 2016 via newly formed, London-based label House of Mythology.

This is the discography for Norwegian avant-garde band Ulver.

References

  1. 1 2 Blood Inside (CD booklet). Ulver. Oslo, Norway: Jester Records. 2005. p. 13. trick033.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Ulver - Blood Inside". AllMusic. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  3. ↑ "ULVER: 'It Is Not Sound' Video Available For Download". Blabbermouth. May 2, 2005. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  4. ↑ Zachariadis, Stefanos (2005-05-03). "Ulver - Blood Inside". Metal Invader. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-06-18.
  5. ↑ Dunphy, John P. (October 15, 2003). "Ulver - A Quick Fix of Melancholy". Global Domination. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  6. ↑ Busink, Martijn (August 2005). "THE HOSPITAL DOOR IS AJAR..." Musique Machine. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  7. ↑ Garwood, Russell (March 2005). "THE ART OF METAMORPHOSIS". Zero Tolerance. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  8. ↑ Tracey, Ciarán (May 2005). "BLEEDING LIBERTIES". Terrorizer Magazine. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  9. ↑ Dejasu, Barry Lee (February 2005). "Ulver". Modern Fix. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  10. ↑ Hughes, Rob (September 2007). "TRAGIC SERENADES". Unrestrained Magazine. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Ulver - Blood Inside". Scene Point Blank. November 15, 2005. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Ulver - Blood Inside". SputnikMusic. February 6, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Ulver - Blood Inside". Avantegarde Metal. November 24, 2012. Archived from the original on May 29, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  14. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Ulver - Blood Inside". AllMusic. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.