Blind Channel release “Balboa” — a reminder that “underdogs are a dangerous species”

At Eurovision 2021 they took Finland to sixth place in the grand final — proving that their “violent pop” sound and dark rock aesthetic had a place among all the ballads and dance numbers, despite the chatter of some naysayers.

And now Blind Channel are reminding the world that their success with “Dark Side” was far from a fluke as they release the music video for “Balboa”. The name references Rocky Balboa — the title character of the iconic Rocky film series that charts the rise of a fictional working class Italian-American boxer.

The song treads common pop ground thematically — this is all about standing up for yourself and using hate as fuel to slay. But the guys give that theme a glow up by dirtying the sound and the lyrics: “Every time you see me bleeding out, it’s one step closer to my crown.” Yas, kings!

Scroll down for the music video

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Joel Hokka (@joelhokka)

Blind Channel release “Balboa”

Joel Hokka — one of the band’s two frontmen — celebrated the release with an atmospheric snap from the video shoot, which shows him resting in the corner of a boxing ring. Quoting the lyrics, he made it clear the song celebrates personal resolve and perseverance. It conveys hope and inspiration for the listener — and a warning message for their haters.

“Everytime u burn me to the ground.
Everytime u kick me when I’m down.
I’m coming back 4 more.

Stream the f*ck out of this, spread it to your friends and enemies.”

As you’d expect in a video set in a boxing ring, the song wastes no time slapping you across the face. The pump and thrust come almost immediately through the rather loud verses (and screams). But all that noise gives way to a relatively ethereal chorus that conveys freedom and, within the band, a sense of unity as Joel and Nikko sing to each other.

Given the band’s own history, it’s hard not to read the song as autobiographical. Ahead of Eurovision, they told us how they had felt like outsiders fighting for a place in a music industry that didn’t seem ready for them. But now, after becoming the first Finnish Eurovision act to top the domestic charts with their entry since 2009 and signing with Sony, that’s all behind them.

With five concerts scheduled for this weekend alone, these lyrics ring particularly sweet:

“Wanna see the look on your faces
From stadium stages
Here’s to you who said I’ll never make it
Time to tie my shoelaces
Running up the staircases
Whatever comes I’ll face it
And claim it.”

What do you think of the video below? Are you loving the group’s Eurovision follow-up? Let us know in the comments box below!

Balboa lyrics — Blind Channel

I’mma keep coming back
Keep coming back like

Blood in my eyes
Veins full of ice
Strike to survive
Prepared to die
Whatever the price
I’ll pay it twice

Yeah
I’ve been building my basis
Wanna see the look on your faces
From stadium stages
Here’s to you who said I’ll never make it
Time to tie my shoelaces
Running up the staircases
Whatever comes I’ll face it
And claim it

Every time you burn me to the ground
Every time you kick me when I’m down
I’m coming back for more
Like I’m Balboa
Every time you see me bleeding out
It’s one step closer to my crown
I’m coming back for more
Like I’m Balboa
I’mma keep coming back
Keep coming back like Balboa

Knockout
I’m sending suckers home like Drago
I’ve got no bow, no arrow, but Apollo follows
Gimme a clubber for supper
Making these fake clowns go breathless
I grow when I suffer like having breakdowns for breakfast

Blood in my eyes
Veins full of ice
Strike to survive
Prepared to die
Whatever the price
I’ll pay it twice

Every time you burn me to the ground
Every time you kick me when I’m down
I’m coming back for more
Like I’m Balboa
Every time you see me bleeding out
It’s a one step closer to my crown
I’m coming back for more
Like I’m Balboa
I’mma keep coming back
Keep coming back like Balboa
I’mma keep coming back
Keep coming back like Balboa
Like I’m Balboa
I’mma keep coming back
Keep coming back like

Blood in my eyes
Veins full of ice
Strike to survive
Prepared to die
Whatever the price
I’ll pay it twice

‘Cause every time you think I’m defeated
I’m saying please be seated
Always up for a challenge
The struggle made me a savage, I’m damaged
Underdogs are a dangerous species
Taking hits until everyone sees me

‘Cause every time you burn me to the ground
Every time you kick me when I’m down
I’m coming back for more
Like I’m Balboa
Every time you see me bleeding out
It’s a one step closer to my crown
I’m coming back for more
Like I’m Balboa
I’mma keep coming back
Keep coming back like Balboa