Blood Command

Blood Command is a Bergen punk band, started in 2008 by guitarist Yngve Andersen. He brought with him Silje Tombre on vocals and Sigurd Haakaas on drums.

The band released two EPs in 2009, before they released their debut album Ghostlocks in 2010. The album got nominated for the Norwegian Grammy award (Spellemannprisen) in 2011.[2] Following the release, Blood Command went on to support the Canadian hardcore band Comeback Kid on their European tour in 2011.[3]

In 2012 bassist Simon Oliver Økland joined the band for their second full-length titled Funeral Beach. The album received great reviews both domestically and internationally, from magazines like Kerrang! and Metal Hammer with the latter stating "Blood Command is one of the best they have heard in recent years.".[4] Following their critically acclaimed album, Blood Command played support for bands like Protest the Hero, Gallows, and Biffy Clyro.[5]

Following the release of Funeral Beach and extensive touring in support of the release, founding member and vocalist Silje Tombre quit the band in 2014. When giving an interview for their next full-length release in 2017, Yngve stated that he had spotted Blood Commands next vocalist in Karina Ljone on the No 16 bus from Laksevåg to the city. When asked if they spoke, Andersen replied “No, no, no, no, no, I just saw her and thought it’s the new vocalist the day Silje quits, and it’s going to happen. This was in 2013. We knew which way it went.”[6][7]

Their third album followed in 2017 with new vocalist Karina at the helm. Cult Drugs released to positive reviews with sites like Metal Hammer giving them a 9/10, Rush on Rock a 10/10, Ox Magazine a 9/10, Kerrang a perfect score, and Already Heard a 5/5.[8] Reviewers highlighted the bands talent with one reviewer at Sputnikmusic.com stating "As a result, Blood Command exhibit exactly what young bands should be doing. Their music is full of talent, packed with energy and overflowing with a potential to be greater than they already are. Also, this band has made the term ‘deathpop’ a thing... And this thing is brilliant."[9] Another reviewer at velvetthunder.com added "Cult Drugs presents some of the most thrilling and brilliant song writing and glorious technicolour delve into soundscapes that I have ever heard."[6]

The band followed up with their final release on long time local record label, Fysisk Format. The EP titled Return of the Arsonist consists of seven tracks, with the title track being the lead single. Once again, the release received positive reviews from sites like Kerrang and Distorted Sound.[10] Yngve noted that the title track is a follow-up to their 2011 track Summon The Arsonist. "A gift from us to our most loyal fans who have been with us since the beginning," he added.[11] In support of the release, the band joined fellow Norwegians Kvelertak on tour which suddenly came to a halt when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Following this, it was announced in a Facebook post on the bands account that current vocalist Karina would be leaving the band due to her pregnancy. Despite being announced on April 1, and many fans believing it was a joke, the band followed up with a tease for a new vocalist a few months later.

In June 2021, ex-Pagan vocalist Nikki Brumen was announced as the new vocalist of the band, officially replacing Karina Ljone.[12][13] The band also released a new single and music video alongside this announcement. A second single was released a few months later, titled "The End is Her". A music video was also released for this single. Both videos notably featured separate filming locations as at the time, the new vocalist was located in Melbourne, Australia.