With their debut album “#Z3R0 2 LGHT $P33D!”, Makes My Blood Dance step fully into a bold and theatrical sonic universe where electro-goth, disco, metal, and cinematic spectacle collide. Released via Metropolis Records, the record captures a band in full momentum — sharpened by extensive touring, growing international buzz, and collaborations with producers such as Bret “Epic” Mazur and Mikal Blue. Blending high-energy club aesthetics with heavy music intensity, the band continues to refine a distinctive identity shaped by contrast, transformation, and performance as ritual. From unexpected collaborations — including a striking reinterpretation of Macy Gray’s “Lately” — to immersive live shows described as “post-apocalyptic ballroom” experiences, Makes My Blood Dance position themselves at the intersection of sound, vision, and emotion.

By Sandra Pinto

In this conversation, the band (EV0, lead vocals, Jon Krisitan, lead guitar, Spaceybaby, bass, and G Rex, beats) reflects on the creation of the album, their evolving sonic identity, the meaning behind its cryptic title, and the spiritual and physical intensity that drives both their recordings and their performances.

“#Z3R0 2 LGHT $P33D!” has finally arrived — what does this record represent for you as a band at this moment in your journey?
EV0: It’s the best version of our sound to date. That journey really never ends as an artist, but we leveled up on this record working with producers Bret “Epic” Mazur and Mikal Blue. We’ve taken those lessons and continue to write and road test new material on every tour. Z2LS has been released by Metropolis Records and we are seeing big momentum in our career right now, touring aggressively and getting lots of buzz for our music videos.

The album blends electro-goth, disco, and metal in a very distinctive way — how did you shape this sonic identity?
Jon Kristian: When Ev0 and I met – we brought our 2 bands together – Ev0 was in an Electro Punk Duo with a DJ and I was in a prog heavy metal band. Think Blood Beet Roots meets Queen meets Lamb of God. In that hour we created this fusion but the 2 bands didn’t want to merge. So we set out to create a new band, Makes My Blood Dance, and this album was a definitive milestone in achieving that magic we glimpsed years ago.

The title itself is striking and cryptic — what’s the meaning behind “#Z3R0 2 LGHT $P33D!”?
Spaceybaby: The title #Z3R0 2 LGHT $P33D! captures our spark, that fraction of a second between potential and kinetic energy. As a band we are feeling the momentum of our music reaching new people, building our tribe, and it’s very exciting. I also feel the title reflects the times we’re living in, the speed of technology advancing at rate we’ve never seen before. We’re riding this wave and want to share it through our music as we experience it together.

Your music feels like a collision between club culture and heavy music — what artists or scenes influenced this hybrid sound the most?
EV0: I think it’s mostly a hybrid of who I am and who Jon Kristian is as a music force. My background is musical theater, hard rock and electronic music. Jon was more metal centric when we first met, since then we have both evolved. We are always listening though, here are several artists currently inspiring us: Electric Callboy, Dance With The Dead, Powerman 5000, Android 86, Klangphonics, IAMX, HEALTH, Lizzo, Teddy Swims, Die Antwoord, Hollywood Undead, Sunday Scaries, XKYLAR, BetaBlueX, and on and on and on….

There’s a strong theatrical and cinematic element to your work — do you approach songwriting visually as well as sonically?
EV0: Songwriting probably not, that’s more with our ears. However our live show is another story altogether. That incorporates mega lights, fashion, motion, and release. There’s a lot of theatrics and cinematic mojo happening there. Of course if you saw me scatting or recording vocals in my studio I’m sure that would look dramatic because I’m channeling that energy into every delivery.

Your vocals move between operatic intensity and sensual tones — how intentional is that contrast? 
EV0: I think there is a fine line between intention and being genuine where you take out thought and lose yourself to your truth. That’s what I’m looking for when I write lyrics, deliver vocals and perform them live. I think our audience understands that and lose themselves along with us. We flip the room.

Your cover of “Lately” featuring Macy Gray is unexpected — how did that collaboration come about?
EV0: We had the same production team at the time and I just blurted out, hey lets do a disco metal cover of a Macy song. Then it manifested. The real magic came when Macy and producers heard our version and everyone lit up. That excitement was real and when Macy came to meet us in the studio there was a pin drop moment when I asked her to sing on the track as well. Everyone sort of held their breath and she was super positive and agreed to rock the song with us. I love her vocals on this track and I am so grateful that she was down to do it.

What drew you to reinterpret that song in an industrial funk style?
EV0: Plain and simple it’s a very weird pairing and I like that off the beaten path approach. Keep things exciting and unexpected, lets see if we can make this magic, and we did.

How do singles like “Heavy Metal Armour” and “Black Summer” connect within the album’s concept?
EV0: I am not sure how much of a concept this album is, although it’s a great listen front to finish on vinyl. Heavy Metal Armour is about struggling inside a relationship to make time for each, to break through emotional armour and the stories we tell ourselves. Relationships are tough, we all want them to feel special. How many times in your relationship do you go out of your way to make each other feel special? To break out of your boring routines and go for a spin? Black Summer is a different promise altogether. That one is about love lost and learning from it and letting go. That one is the empowerment of flying your own way and what is the next chapter. It’s about dancing through the storm of chaos and finding yourself.

Your shows are described as immersive and ritualistic — what do you want audiences to feel when they leave?
EV0: We flip the room, stop thinking and release. Show up and find out, you will love it. When you leave, you’ll be feeling amazing and talking about coming back again.

How important is visual identity — fashion, lighting, stage design — in expressing your music?
Jon Kristian: It’s just as important as the music. I spent weeks and long nights programming our stage lights to be a part of the performance, because I’ve always associated colors and images with musical notes. They go hand in hand. In the Bible, I read of the hosts of heaven worshipping in glory – brilliant angels surrounded by flashes of lightning, rainbow auras, smoke, etc, so It’s something that has inspired the show.
G Rex: Visual identity is a crucial element for this band! We all have our own personalities on stage which we are able to construe through our wardrobe! Whether it is EV0’s stunning jackets, Spacey’s edgy boots, or Jon Kristians gothic swagger, we are all extremely confident in our ability to perform as a unit!

After touring with Powerman 5000 and 12 Stones, what did you take away from that experience?
G Rex: Touring with both of these bands has been such a great learning experience for the 4 of us! Being able to watch guys who have been performing at such a high level for a long time, gives us the opportunity to learn.
EV0: These bands are total pros and we had to earn their respect. Everything from sound check, to the relentless touring schedule, to honoring set times. Spider (frontman for PM5K) is a master at working the crowd and each one of them has their instrument dialed in. We learned a lot and have been added to another tour with PM5K in Aug/Sept of 2026. Very grateful to keep rocking the crowds together, and I think the lineup of Make My Blood Dance and PM5K makes for an amazing night.

Your sound evokes a “post-apocalyptic ballroom” — what kind of world are you creating?
Jon Kristian: Since I started MMBD with Ev0, I’ve been getting reminders from the Man upstairs to get his Gospel out to people – we channel the messages of healing, redemption, celebration, joy, excitement, and love. However, there is urgency – Covid, war, the forest fires, AI, etc – we don’t know how much time is left on the clock.

What does transformation mean to you in the context of your music?
Jon Kristian: we want our music to be positively uplifting to the soul and body – a lot of our writing is based on that. It’s a ritual of healing. There have been occasions when I get seriously ill on tour – but I drag myself on stage and I become healed, and sometimes fans tell us they were emotionally healed.

Now that the debut album is out, what’s next for MMBD?
EV0: We’re on track for almost 90+ shows in 2026 including dates in Europe. We will continue to hone the live experience and support Z2LS record. We already sold out of the first 400 printings of the vinyl. Expect more tours, awesome new merch and extras for everyone and let’s keep the party rolling. We’ll be mixing up the live set with jams and new songs, we call out the set nightly to each other on stage.

What can fans expect from your upcoming live shows?
EV0: Expectations are the definition of failed relationships. Expect nothing and be pleasantly surprised. Expect your best self and bring all your friends and lets start there. Expect an amazing night with an open heart and that’s a good place to be. Expect our love and gratitude from the moment the doors open. #SeeYouInTheStrobe

Do you feel this album captures your full vision, or are you still evolving?
Jon Kristian: The journey and evolution is never over.