Blooddrunk (song)

single infobox |
Name = Blooddrunk


Artist = Children of Bodom
from Album = Blooddrunk
Released = flagicon|Finland February 27 2008
flagicon|Europe March 3 2008
Format = CD, 7", 12"
Recorded = 2007
Genre = Melodic death metal
Extreme power metal
Thrash metal
Length = 4:05
Label = Spinefarm
Writer = Alexi Laiho
Producer =
Chart Position =
Reviews =
Last single = Tie My Rope
(2007)
This single = Bloodrunk
(2008)
Next single = Hellhounds on My Trail
(2008)

"Blooddrunk" is a 2008 single by Finnish melodic death metal band Children of Bodom, taken from their 2008 album "Blooddrunk". The lyrics focus upon "self-destructive behaviour", and being addicted to hurting yourself. Written solely by Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho, the song was generally well received by critics.

Directed by Sandra Marschner and produced by Katapult Filmproduktion, the accompanying music video was filmed at former Nazi barracks in Krampnitz situated near Berlin. The film is set in an abandoned ghost town; Laiho described the area as "a really creepy looking environment". "Blooddrunk" debuted at number one on the Finnish singles charts in its first week of release, and remained in the top twenty of the Finnish singles chart for six weeks following its release.

Origins

According to Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho, "Blooddrunk" concerns "self-destructive behaviour",cite web|title=“Hellhounds On My Trail” - Children of Bodom frontman Alexi Laiho spills the intimate details concerning sixth studio full length "Blooddrunk"|author=Morgan, Anthony|publisher=Lucem Fero|date=2008-03|url=http://www.lucemfero.com/childrenofbodom032008.php|accessdate=2008-06-04] and "being addicted to spilling your own blood".cite web|title=CHILDREN OF BODOM's LAIHO, WIRMAN Offer 'Blooddrunk' Track-By-Track Breakdown|author= |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=2008-01-16|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=88581|accessdate=2008-06-03] Laiho felt that he had hurt himself "more than ever" over the course of a two year period (between 2005-2007), and arrived at the conclusion that he was addicted to hurting himself "so bad".cite web|title=CHILDREN OF BODOM Frontman Discusses Forthcoming Album|author= |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=2007-12-13|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=86727|accessdate=2008-06-03] When discussing the track in interviews, Laiho has made reference to the fact that he self-harmed in the past. However, Laiho has noted that the song isn't "necessarily just about cutting yourself but about other things you do to yourself and you don't know why".

One interviewer commented that the phrase "blood drunk" appears in the 2007 movie "300", although Laiho stated that he heard the phrase prior to watching the film. "I think it's just some sort of expression and it fits, you know?", Laiho observed.

Musical structure

"Blooddrunk" is 4 minutes 5 seconds long.cite web| title = Allmusic Review - "Blooddrunk"|author = Prato, Greg|publisher = Allmusic|url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:azfqxzejldse~T1|accessdate = 2008-06-03] A keyboard opens the track, described by IGN critic Jim Kaz as a "gothic" "flourish".cite web|title= "Blooddrunk" - Review|author=Kaz, Jim|publisher=IGN|date=|url=http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/867/867063p1.html|accessdate=2007-06-14] The track then "degenerates" into a set of "muscular" riffs,cite web|title= "Blooddrunk" - Review|author=Begrand, Adrien|publisher=Popmatters|date=|url= http://www.popmatters.com/pm/reviews/article/57675/children-of-bodom-blooddrunk/ |accessdate=2007-06-14] riffs that Kaz dubbed "frenetic". The chorus then enters, hailed by PopMatters critic Adrien Begrand as "effective". Begrand also commented that "Blooddrunk" is "chugging".

Keyboardist Janne Wirman noted that "Blooddrunk" is the first song since the group's debut album (1997's " Something Wild") to feature a triplet, and felt the track was "really fresh musically" for that reason.

Music video

In December 2007, Children of Bodom travelled to Berlin, Germany in order to film two music videos - for the songs "Blooddrunk" and "Hellhounds On My Trail" respectively - in support of sixth studio album "Blooddrunk".cite web|title=Scythes Of Bodom & Alexi Laiho 2007|author= Zarok|publisher=Scythes of Bodom|date=2007-12|url= http://www.scythes-of-bodom.com/site.php?go=interviews&lang=en&int=interview07|accessdate=2008-06-03] Both videos were directed by Sandra Marschner, and produced by Katapult Filmproduktion.cite web|title=CHILDREN OF BODOM: 'Blooddrunk' Video Posted Online|author= |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=2008-02-18|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=91054|accessdate=2008-06-03] "Blooddrunk"'s music video was filmed at former Nazi barracks in Krampnitz near Berlin, an area where the Russian army was stationed prior to the reunification of Germany.

Set in an abandoned "hellhole" ghost town, Laiho described the area as "a really creepy looking environment". cite web|title=CHILDREN OF BODOM Frontman On Touring, Songwriting And Covering Other Bands' Material|author=Brown, Louise |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=2008-01-24|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89222|accessdate=2008-06-03] Laiho went on to comment that "no one has lived there for years".

On February 18, the music video premiered on both the internet and Finnish television. [cite web|title=CHILDREN OF BODOM: Photos From 'Blooddrunk' Video Shoot Available|author= |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=2008-02-17|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=90950|accessdate=2008-06-03]

Critical reception

"Blooddrunk" was released on February 27, 2008 by Spinefarm Records in Finland.cite web|title=CHILDREN OF BODOM: 'Blooddrunk' Single Artwork Unveiled|author= |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=2008-01-26|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89330|accessdate=2008-06-03] In its first week of release, the single debuted at number one on the Finnish singles chart.cite web| url=http://www.yle.fi/lista/listat/singlet.php?id=3320|title=Singles chart - Tenth week of 2008|language=Finnish |publisher=Finnish charts |accessdate=2008-06-03] "Blooddrunk" stayed in that position for one week, and remained in the top twenty of the Finnish singles chart for six weeks following its release.cite web| url=http://www.yle.fi/lista/listat/tuote.php?id=8561|title=CHILDREN OF BODOM > Blooddrunk|language=Finnish |publisher=Finnish charts |accessdate=2008-06-03] On March 3, the single was issued in the rest of Europe. On that same day, What Records issued three limited-edition versions of the single in the United Kingdom; an enhanced CD single, a 7" vinyl single, and a 12" vinyl single picture disc.cite web|title=CHILDREN OF BODOM: Limited-Edition 'Blooddrunk' Single Formats Detailed|author= |publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=2008-01-30|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89559|accessdate=2008-06-04] The single's enhanced CD version featured a cover of Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell", and the music video for "Blooddrunk". Limited to 1,000 copies worldwide, the 7" vinyl version included a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Lookin' Out My Back Door" as its B-side. The single's limited 12" vinyl picture disc release was distributed with 666 numbered copies, and 1,000 copies overall. A reinterpretation of Stone's "No Command" comprised the B-side, and all purchased copies came with a sticker.

Critics were generally positive when reviewing "Blooddrunk". PopMatters critic Adrien Begrand felt the track was "certain to become a live favorite".cite web|title =Children of Bodom - "Blooddrunk" review| author = Begrand, Adrien| publisher= PopMatters|date=2008-05-09|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/57675/children-of-bodom-blooddrunk/|accessdate=2008-06-06]

Formats and tracklistings

;Normal CD single
# "Blooddrunk" − 4:05
# "Lookin' Out My Backdoor" (Creedence Clearwater Revival Cover) − 2:08

;UK Enhanced CD single
# "Blooddrunk" − 4:05
# "Rebel Yell" (Billy Idol Cover) − 4:12
# "Blooddrunk" (Video)

;UK Limited 7" Red Vinyl
# "Blooddrunk" − 4:05
# "Lookin' Out My Backdoor" (Creedence Clearwater Revival Cover) − 2:08

;UK Limited 12" Picture Disc
# "Blooddrunk" − 4:05
# "No Commands" (Stone Cover) − 4:46

Notes