After the titanic revolution of the nu-metalcore genre, one band band stood out among the (now) psychedelia-filled Cane Hill and the pop-punk-throng of Ocean Grove. Bloodywood left an even heavier mark on the genre with their recently released album Nu Delhi—a capital-of-India comeback packed with traditional metalcore and nu-metal hybrid stylings, plus a sprinkle of hyper metal.

But to understand the true craftsmanship and absolute sonic velocity of this album, we must analyze each track and rate it (spoiler alert: the entire tracklist could be released as singles).

Halla Bol: 5

What a way to start an album. Between the traditional Indian instrumentation and the pure adrenaline of the harsh vocals, Bloodywood creates a smooth transition from cultural roots to full-throttle metal. It never feels dissonant or jarring. Halla Bol, or “Raise Your Voice,” may have been taken from a slogan used during a 1994 campaign by then-Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav against Hindi newspapers Dainik Jagran and Amar Ujala. I could be wrong—but either way, this track is tew tuff.

Hutt: 5

This one feels like a copy-paste of the previous track at first—but then that second half drops with a pre-chorus ambience led by really great, simplistic guitar work. Nu-metal’s structural integrity gives depth to those basic-feeling choruses. Overall, it’s a strong track and might be the best in the top half of the album.

Dhadak: 4

We continue with Dhadak, meaning an act of pulsation, usually tied to the heart. I’ve never been a big fan of using spoken-word percussion as a replacement for traditional lyrics—but Korn built an entire career on random noises, so maybe that’s just me. Still, this track rebounds itself with more melodic and ambient elements, and overall, it’s solid.

Bekhauf (feat. BABYMETAL): 5

I really liked the approach here. This one takes a hyper metal route, combining punchy songwriting with bubblegum-pop hooks. It’s perfect for their sound. I was totally thrown off—in a good way—by the addition of BABYMETAL, which enhances the melodies and choruses. Like their collab with BMTH on Post Human: Survival Horror, it adds serious depth. Chef’s kiss.

Kismat: 5

Bloodywood continues their mainstream-friendly streak with Kismat (translated as “fate”). Hooks galore highlight their metalcore automation, and the inclusion of traditional Indian strings—used in place of lead guitar fills—is a standout touch. Stripped-down compared to Bekhauf, but equally compelling.

Daggebaaz: 3

This track feels like a B-side from Architects’ latest album. It lacks the strong hooks seen elsewhere and falls short compared to the album’s strong middle section. Hardcore and punk fans may enjoy it more, but for me, it’s a no.

Tadka: 5

Certified hood classic. This track is a zenith where all of Nu Delhi’s elements converge—melody, nu-metal inspiration, production, and vocals. The bar for this album is high, but Tadka clears it easily. An absolute standout.

Nu Delhi: 4

The final track bounces back from Daggebaaz, refining the hardcore/punk framework into something more melodic and atmospheric. Feels like the middle section of Make Them Suffer’s latest record—in the best way possible. A fitting, well-made end to the journey.

Overall:

Another colossal slam dunk for Bloodywood and the metalcore genre. Their experimentation and genre-blending add depth, dimension and power. Nu Delhi is more than an album—it’s a thesis on the future of heavy music.