Review: “Systemic Disruption” by Bloodkill

Uniting both current and former members of Kill the King, Unholy Grudge and Archverse, the evolution (or should that be evilution?) of Mumbai India based Groove Thrash Metal act Bloodkill has been going on for the past decade. Originally having an adrenalized Thrash sound influenced by the 80’s bay area scene, line up changes appear to have lead to the broadening of the bands horizons. From the line up that gave us the gift of their last album, vocalist Anirudh Gollapudi and drummer Jay Patil remain, the duo welcoming new guitarist  Anukool Kaushik and bassist Neil Parmar for EP “Systemic Disruption“. A concept record about humanity falling prey to the ever evolving digital world where social media addiction, pornography, the myth that is data privacy and the over reliance on A.I. in creative fields like music and art has become the new normal…

It might sound like something of a cliche but as title track and opener “Systemic Disruption” plays out it becomes apparent that Bloodkill have no only refined but refined their sound since their “Throne of Control” album was released in 2021. Perhaps eerily there is something in the vocals of Anirudh Gollapudi that is reminiscent of the late Wayne Static, which adds something to the warnings about artificial intelligence taking over the world and destroying all that is sacred and human in creativity. The band have managed to capture a sense of urgency in their Thrash leaning groove orientated riffs that helps push the envelope containing the message home in style.

There is a Trivium like stomp to the Metalcore of “Digital Spell“, the tasteful lead licks and more melodic vocals of the opening verse drawing you into a narrative about being brainwashed. Those lyrics certainly give you plenty to think about when the headbanging is over, a programmed moment making way for a heavy bridge into a blistering solo that nothing short of an incredible grand finale. In truth it could have easily gone on for another verse and chorus but instead the band leap into conjoined twin “Temptress” with the kind of gusto that suggests the two will be performed back to back live. A thunderous bass line from Neil Parmar provides the foundation for the riffs from Anukool Kaushik and it has to be said that there is an air of familiarity about everything. That gives the record appeal in the first few spins before you really let the lyrical narratives sink in, at which point its very hard to ignore.

If there is one problem with the record its that those lyrics are very much for the internet age with mentions of scrolls, clicks and devices you own that go a little too far in the sense that in twenty years it could all be gone. Perhaps the best way to describe it is that those classic Thrash themes of social commentary and societal decay taken to the next level but you can’t really make it your own. “The Hidden Hands” is a fine example of that, the track built on a soundscape that towers above all others with some incredible lead work to compliment the scathing vocals [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Systemic Disruption
2. Digital Spell
3. Temptress
4. The Hidden Hands

“Systemic Disruption” by Bloodkill is out 10th May 2026 and is available over at bandcamp