Makes My Blood Dance is a Brooklyn-based electro-goth-punk, disco-metal group. The four-piece incorporates elements of cyberpunk, synth-wave, metal, and pop on the band’s newest record, which goes by the same name as their seemingly endless tour “Zer02LGHTSp33d”. Lead singer EV0 infuses his cabaret pop tendencies with Jon Kristian on lead guitar and synth to create a unique combination of grit, groove and dance-oriented anthems. Some describe them as a “ballsier Panic at the Disco, with Ghost, Mindless Self Indulgence, and NIN rolled into one.”
Frontman EV0 founded MMBD with lead guitar/synth player Jon Kristian at a transitional time in life; early in recovery from addiction and wanting a fresh start. EV0 shares: “My background is musical theatre and pop, JK brings a passion for technical metal and programming, so it took us a hot minute to learn how to integrate those influences. I think we became friends before we became bandmates.”
Makes My Blood Dance’s full lineup is EV0 (Vox) Jon Kristian (Lead guitar/Program) “I Love” Lucy (Bass) and El “Rat Bastard” Ray Ray (Hybrid Beats), who have teamed up to become a touring machine post-pandemic. MMBD hits the stage like a fork in an outlet with an urgency to bring people together. Their live shows are events that transform spaces and crowds into rave-like experiences. Big on crowd interaction and explosive lighting and theatrics, Jon Kristian simply says “We are the freaks.”
Their latest release “Heavy Metal Armour” is about the emotional armor that one needs to wear in a relationship. EVO confides, “I do anyway because I’m so sensitive and I’m frequently struggling mentally, especially with relationships. It’s about coming together, making time for each other, not letting work or obligations derail the romance and excitement of being with someone. I don’t believe that romance should be limited to vacations or date nights. Many people lose themselves in the pressures of life and it gets stale and boring to me and I want to run. I recognize that there is a level of fear in that half of the equation, but relationships take two. That’s what Heavy Metal Armour is about, for me.”
“Heavy Metal Armour” is a high-octane anthem where raucous guitars collide with explosive percussion, delivering a sound that’s both intense and electrifying. Passion-fueled vocals reflect the raw emotion of the lyrics, as they soar over energetic, clashing instrumentation.
The accompanying music video shows two people who seem to be stuck, too busy to make time, and living in fear. Suddenly there is a shift, a musical and romantic embrace that leads to this unraveling dance sequence. EVO expresses, “It’s a pretty erotic video, which again, is me, but I’m not embarrassed or afraid to say so. I direct and create these videos with Jon and it’s beautiful to make them and to act out the story.”
“Heavy Metal Armour” is from a collection of upcoming releases, all of which touch on EVO’s own confessions or prayers. Taking his stories and giving them life beyond the private theater of his mind, his music reflects his struggles, inspirations and dreams come true. The songwriter shares, “I’m a romantic at the end of the day and I love to direct and put together music videos that entertain. Jon and I named the band Makes My Blood Dance because that is the state you’re in during flow. The feeling of a first kiss, of recognizing beauty, of freedom. I have a passion for dance and movement and love to incorporate that in our music videos as well.”
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Image, courtesy of LPR
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