Blood Youth

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Blood Youth
Blood Youth in 2017; from left to right: Chris Pritchard (guitar), Kaya Tarsus (vocals), Sam Hallett (drums), Matt Hollinson (bass)
Blood Youth in 2017; from left to right: Chris Pritchard (guitar), Kaya Tarsus (vocals), Sam Hallett (drums), Matt Hollinson (bass)
Background information
OriginHarrogate, North Yorkshire, U.K.
Genres
Years active2014–2023 (hiatus)
Labels
Spinoff ofClimates
Members
  • Chris Pritchard
  • Matt Hollinson
  • Brad Ratcliffe
  • Harry Rule
Past members
  • Sam Bowden
  • Matt Powels
  • Max Dawson
  • Sam Hallett
  • Kaya Tarsus
Websitebloodyouth.com

Blood Youth were an English hardcore punk band formed in Harrogate in 2014.[1] They have released three studio albums, two EPs and a short-form documentary produced by Kerrang!. The current line-up consists of guitarist Chris Pritchard, bassist Matt Hollinson, drummer Brad Ratcliffe and lead vocalist Harry Rule.

The band were formed in 2014 by the final line-up of Leicester melodic hardcore band Climates and former Book of Job vocalist Kaya Tarsus. Their earliest releases made use of a melodic style of heavy metal-influenced hardcore punk, while their post-2018 output has veered closer to the nu metal genre.

History[edit]

Kaya Tarsus, the band's founding vocalist who left in 2021

Leicester melodic hardcore band Climates broke up after the departure of vocalist Wesley Thompson. On Climates' final tour, they recruited Kaya Tarsus, formerly of Harrogate band Book of Job to fill in on vocals. After the tour, the remaining members formed Blood Youth at the end of 2014.[2] On 11 May 2015, they released their debut single "Failure",[3] which was a part of their debut EP Inside My Head released on 22 June 2015.[4] Later that year, Powels departed from the band.[5] On 17 December, Bowden also departed from the band, joining Welsh pop punk band Neck Deep.[6] On 11 January 2016, they released their second EP Closure.[7][8][9] The EP's first single was "Closure", released on 28 January.[10] On 23 May, the EP's second single was released, titled "Mood Swings".[11]

On 6 February 2017, they released the single "Reason to Stay".[12] On 27 February, they released the single "I Remember".[13] On 20 March, they released the single "Making Waves"[14] All three single were included on their debut album Beyond Repair, released on 7 April 2017.[15] In October 2017, they supported Neck Deep on their European headline tour, alongside As It Is and Real Friends.[16] From 8 to 10 April 2017, they played a mini headline tour, with support from Holding Absence and Loathe.[17]

On 19 August 2018, they released the single "Starve".[18] On 4 February 2019, they released the single "Spineless".[19] The singles were included on their second album Starve released on 22 February 2019.[20] From 1 to 8 March 2019, they headlined a tour of the UK supported by Lotus Eater and Palm Reader.[21]

On 5 November 2019, they released the non-album single "Playing The Victim".[22] On 28 June 2021, they released the single "Iron Lung",[23] Around this time it was announced that Hallett was no longer a member of the band and that he had been replaced by new drummer Brad Ratcliffe.[24] On 23 July, they released the single "Cells".[25] On 25 August, they released the single "Body of Wire".[26] On 2 September, they released the single "Colony3".[27] After performing at the 2021 Slam Dunk Festival, Tarsus departed from the group.[28] On 6 September 2021, former God Complex vocalist Harry Rule was announced as the band's new lead vocalist.[29] From 15 to 26 September 2021, they toured the UK on a headline tour, supported by Death Blooms.[30] On 30 September, the band announced that their third studio album, Visions Of Another Hell, would be released the following day, 1 October. The album included the five previously released singles and is the final release to include Tarsus.[31] From 21 February 2021 to 13 March, they will tour Europe on a co-headline tour with Cane Hill, supported by Diamond Construct.[32]

On 24 January 2023, the band announced that they would be entering a hiatus.

Musical style and influence[edit]

Blood Youth performing at Download Festival 2017

Blood Youth's early music has been described as melodic hardcore,[33][34][35][36] hardcore punk,[35] post-hardcore,[37] and punk metal.[38] On their second album Starve, the band changed their style in favour of a nu metal sound. Their music continued to make use of clean vocals in choruses, however began to juxtapose this with heavy drop tuned guitars.[39] Throughout both of these eras, some critics have categorised their music as metalcore.[40][41]

The band's lyrics focus on many different topics based on everyday (namely Tarsus's) life, with songs off of the band's debut EP invoking themes of homelessness, breakups, and financial turmoil.[42] Their sophomore EP Closure focused on such themes as Tarsus's struggle to help his family, emotional claustrophobic towards those new in life and reflecting on the past,[43] while their debut full-length Beyond Repair followed that of numbing oneself via alcohol abuse, the struggle of being an underground musician in a small town, becoming a different person while under the influence of alcohol, one's naivety while young, and simply being angry.[44] Furthermore, on multiple tracks such as "What I'm Running From" and "Big Smoke", Tarsus focuses on his relocation to Barcelona just prior to the formation of the band, the reasons why he departed from England, and what he was feeling during this transition.[42][44]

Guitarist Chris Pritchard is inspired by nu metal acts such as Korn and Slipknot, namely their first and second albums, stating that he fell in love with songs such as “Wait and Bleed”;[45][1][46] vocalist Kaya Tarsus is more-so inspired by hardcore bands such as the Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, and Every Time I Die.[1][37][46] In full contrast, former drummer Sam Hallett's favorite band is The 1975; he is also a huge fan of R&B[1] together with Funeral For a Friend.[46]

Members[edit]

Matt Hollinson (left) and Kaya Tarsus, while opening for Prophets of Rage in 2017

Current line-up[edit]

  • Chris Pritchard - guitar (2014–2023)
  • Matt Hollinson - bass (2017–2023)
  • Brad Ratcliffe – drums (2021–2023)
  • Harry Rule - lead vocals (2021-2023)

Past members[edit]

  • Sam Bowden - guitar (2014-2015)
  • Matt Powels - drums (2014-2015)
  • Max Dawson - bass (2014–2017)
  • Sam Hallett - drums (2015–2021)
  • Kaya Tarsus - lead vocals (2014–2021)

Timeline[edit]

(Including Climates)

Discography[edit]

Blood Youth performing an acoustic set at Crash Records, Leeds, in 2017. From top left to bottom right: Kaya Tarsus, Sam Hallett, Chris Pritchard..

Studio albums[edit]

Title Details
Beyond Repair
  • Released: 7 April 2017
  • Label: Rude Records
Starve
  • Released: 22 February 2019
  • Label: Rude Records
Visions of Another Hell
  • Released: 1 October 2021
  • Label: Rude Records

EPs[edit]

Title Details
Inside My Head
Closure
  • Released: 11 January 2016
  • Label: Rude Records, Artery Recordings


Singles[edit]

Title Released
"Failure" 11 May 2015
"Closure" 28 January 2016
"Mood Swing" 23 May 2016
"Reason To Stay" 6 February 2017
"I Remember" 27 February 2017
"Making Waves" 20 March 2017
"Starve" 19 August 2018
"Spineless" 4 February 2019
"Playing The Victim" 5 November 2019
"Iron Lung" 28 June 2021
"Cells" 28 July 2021
"Body of Wire" 16 August 2021
"Colony3" 3 September 2021

Filmography[edit]

  • From the Ground Up (2018)[47]


References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Blood Youth: "It was almost, as cheesy as it sounds, meant to be" - Upset". Upsetmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Blood Youth – North America | Artery Recordings". arteryrecordings.com.
  3. ^ "This Blood Youth Video Is Proof That UK Heavy Music Is In Very Safe Hands Indeed - Features". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Track By Track: Blood Youth - Inside My Head EP". 28 May 2015.
  5. ^ ""I was beyond repair!"". Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Sam Bowden Has Joined Neck Deep - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  7. ^ "This New Blood Youth Song Is Ferocious - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  8. ^ "One Of Britain's Best New Bands Has Announced A Tour - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  9. ^ "This Is Why Blood Youth Are One Of British Rock's Brightest Prospects - Features". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Blood Youth Have Unveiled A Claustrophobic New Video - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Blood Youth Have A Claustrophobic New Video - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Blood Youth share video for latest single, 'Reason to Stay'". Punktastic.com.
  13. ^ "Blood Youth Release New Single "I Remember"". 20 March 2017.
  14. ^ "Blood Youth Have Released A New Song, 'Making Waves' - News". Rock Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  15. ^ "Blood Youth Release "Reason To Stay" Music Video". 6 February 2017.
  16. ^ "The Supports For The Neck Deep Tour Have Been Announced". Kerrang!. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  17. ^ SAYCE, ROB. "BLOOD YOUTH HAVE DROPPED NEW SONG 'I REMEMBER'". RockSound. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  18. ^ Cook, Lottie (2 September 2018). "INTERVIEW: Blood Youth (25/08/2018)". Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  19. ^ SAYCE, ROB. "WATCH BLOOD YOUTH'S DARK NEW VIDEO". RockSound. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  20. ^ SAYCE, ROB. "HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BLOOD YOUTH'S NEW ALBUM". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 28 March 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  21. ^ Redrup, Zach (28 November 2018). "NEWS: Blood Youth detail UK tour for March 2019!". Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  22. ^ Hoffer, Tess (26 November 2019). "NEWS: Blood Youth share video for new song, 'Playing The Victim'!". Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  23. ^ Redrup, Zach (28 June 2021). "NEWS: Blood Youth share new single, 'Iron Lung'!". Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  24. ^ Chalmers, Graham. "Harrogate rock band Blood Youth's thrilling rise to fame". Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  25. ^ ROGERS, JACK. "LISTEN: BLOOD YOUTH'S ALL-CONSUMING NEW TRACK 'CELLS'". RockSound. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  26. ^ ROGERS, JACK. "WATCH: BLOOD YOUTH'S DELIRIOUS VIDEO FOR 'BODY OF WIRE'". RockSound. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  27. ^ GONZALES, RAMON (2 September 2021). "BLOOD YOUTH REMAIN RELENTLESS WITH THEIR LATEST SINGLE "COLONY3"". Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  28. ^ Rogers, Jack. "BLOOD YOUTH VOCALIST KAYA TARSUS HAS ANNOUNCED HIS DEPARTURE FROM THE BAND". RockSound. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  29. ^ "A Conversation with Blood Youth's Departing Vocalist Kaya Tarsus & Their New Vocalist Harry Rule - Features". Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  30. ^ Tuck, Dylan (29 June 2021). "NEWS: Blood Youth detail UK tour for September 2021!". Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  31. ^ WILSON-TAYLOR, JAMES. "BLOOD YOUTH SURPRISE DROP NEW ALBUM 'VISIONS OF ANOTHER HELL'". RockSound. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  32. ^ ROGERS, JACK. "BLOOD YOUTH & CANE HILL HAVE ANNOUNCED THE DATES OF A UK/EU CO-HEADLINE TOUR". RockSound. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  33. ^ "Already Heard - Name Change". Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  34. ^ "Bring The Noise- Inside My Head". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  35. ^ a b "Blood Youth – 'Closure'". Punktastic.com.
  36. ^ "Hold Up Now - Blood Youth". 16 March 2015.
  37. ^ a b "The 10 best Dillinger Escape Plan songs, as chosen by Blood Youth". 19 May 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
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  39. ^ Hickie, James. "Album Review: Blood Youth – Starve". Kerrang!. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  40. ^ Williams, Taylor (19 December 2019). "2010-2019: THE BEST METALCORE EPS OF THE DECADE". Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  41. ^ Connick, Tom (25 February 2019). "Blood Youth – 'Starve' review". NME. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
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  44. ^ a b "Blood Youth's track-by-track guide to Beyond Repair". 12 May 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  45. ^ "Blood Youth's obsession with nu metal". 27 October 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  46. ^ a b c "6 Records That Changed Our Lives – Blood Youth". 3 April 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  47. ^ "BLOOD YOUTH MADE A DOCUMENTARY AND WE'RE PREMIERING IT HERE". Kerrang!. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
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