Blood Inside

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Blood Inside is the sixth full-length studio album by Norwegian experimental band Ulver. It was released on June 6, 2005, after being recorded in January–February 2004. Ulver and producer Ronan Chris Murphy worked on it for Jester Records.

The music blends rock, jazz, classical, industrial, and electronic influences. It moves toward more classically based arrangements and a bigger, wall-of-sound feel. The coda of It Is Not Sound borrows from Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, and the lyrics to Christmas are adapted from Fernando Pessoa’s 1922 poem.

A video for It Is Not Sound appeared on May 2, 2005.

The band considered the titles Utopian Enterprise and Heart before settling on Blood Inside. Kristoffer Rygg said the album is more rock than electronic, with a sanctified, sad mood and some lighter moments. He stressed it isn’t a sequel to Perdition City, but a different sound that doesn’t fit their film-score work. He described Blood Inside as a “monster kaleidoscope” of sounds and ideas.

Critics noted its ambition and variety. Scene Point Blank praised its substance and style. SputnikMusic called it haunting and intricate. Avantgarde-metal.com highlighted its energetic range, from swing-influenced tracks to danceable electronic pop. AllMusic noted a move away from stark minimalism toward more sumptuous textures and called it a brave, inspiring step for Ulver.

There were two limited editions: a red velvet box CD limited to 2,000 copies, and a vinyl edition by Profound Lore Records limited to 1,000 copies in six colors.