Tag Archives: #acousticmetal

Cutting Edge Culture Updates, New Music Release

CHICAGO THRASH VETERANS BLOODRUNNER STRIP IT ALL BACK WITH “UNPLUGGED LIVE AT WZRD”

Leave a comment


Raw. Intimate. Unfiltered. Bloodrunner return with a release that proves thrash metal doesn’t need distortion to hit hard.

A New Chapter, Fully Exposed 🔥
Chicago thrashers BLOODRUNNER are back — but not the way you expect. With the release of Unplugged Live At WZRD, the long-running Midwest metal force peels back the amps, distortion, and aggression to reveal the beating heart beneath their catalog.

“This album represents a new chapter for Bloodrunner: stripped down, intimate and real,” explains founder, vocalist, and guitarist Neal Rodriguez. And that honesty is felt in every note.

Recorded during the summer of 2025 at Northeastern University’s legendary radio station WZRD, the live session captures Bloodrunner in a raw acoustic setting while simultaneously introducing a new lineup — a bold move for a band that has never been afraid of reinvention.

Thrash Roots, Reinvented ⚡
Formed in 2004 by Neal Rodriguez, Bloodrunner have been a persistent force in the Chicago metal underground for over two decades. From their debut full-length Total Annihilation (2007, remastered and reissued in 2025) to the self-titled EP released in 2023, the band has continually evolved while staying true to their thrash foundation.

Now joined by Tito (bass) and Jeff (drums), Bloodrunner reimagine their songs in an unplugged format — proving that powerful songwriting and emotional weight don’t rely on volume alone. The absence of distortion doesn’t soften the impact; instead, it sharpens it.

“These songs have always had a heart,” Neal shares. “Playing them unplugged lets that shine through in a new way. It’s exciting to share this chapter with our fans.”

Survival, Reinvention, and Relentless Drive 🖤
Bloodrunner’s history is one of persistence. Lineup changes, industry shifts, and long gaps between releases never stopped the project from moving forward. After periods of activity with other bands — including The Upsets — Neal reactivated Bloodrunner in 2020, releasing new material despite setbacks and continued lineup changes.

By 2024, the vision became clear: revisit the past through a new lens. That vision led directly to the unplugged era, with Unplugged Live At WZRD serving as both a statement and a bridge toward the upcoming Bloodrunner Unplugged EP, scheduled for CD release in 2026.

This isn’t nostalgia. It’s survival through reinvention.

🎶 Listen Now:

Deep Dive into the Universe of Bloodrunner 🌐
Facebook – Instagram – Bandcamp – Spotify – Apple Music – YouTube – Golden Core Records Store

Ironshore Studios, Live Tours, LIVE TOURS AND EVENTS, New Music Release

🔥 ONI Drops Haunting New Ballad “Shouldn’t Feel This Way” + Tour With Pop Evil This Spring 💀

Canadian alt-metal trailblazer ONI has returned with a soul-piercing new single, “Shouldn’t Feel This Way,” a powerful acoustic ballad that peels back the distortion to reveal raw emotion and heartbreak. Out now on all platforms, the track marks a distinct shift in tone for ONI—showcasing a softer, more vulnerable side of project founder Jake Oni.

📍 Stream “Shouldn’t Feel This Way”: Click Here

💬 Reflecting on the song, Oni shares:

“‘Shouldn’t Feel This Way’ is about mourning the loss of someone really close to you, and the constant struggle in life to live without feeling lost and alone… It isn’t like anything I have released before. I got to shoot the video on my farm in Canada which is a very important place for me.”

Co-written with John Boecklin, Seth Evans, and Kile Odell, the track follows the recent cover of The Kooks’ “Naive” and ONI’s emotionally charged Genesis EP, setting the stage for a dynamic and deeply personal year in the band’s evolution.

🎥 Watch the official music video: YouTube

💿 Stream the Genesis EP:

Listen Here

📅 ONI Tour Dates (w/ Pop Evil)

April 8 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
April 10 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
April 11 – Little Rock, AR – The Hall
April 12 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
April 13 – Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
April 14 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater
April 15 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep
April 17 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent Theater
April 19 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
April 22 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
April 23 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
April 24 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
April 25 – Salem, OR – Elsinore Theatre
April 26 – Reno, NV – Cargo Concert Hall
April 29 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
May 1 – Calgary, AB – The Palace Theatre
May 4 – Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre
May 6 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
May 7 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center
May 8 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
May 9 – Grand Rapids, MI – GLC Live at 20 Monroe
May 10 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
May 12 – Lititz, PA – Mickey’s Black Box
May 15 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
May 16 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
May 17 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
May 18 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre

🎫 Tickets available now at: ONI Tour Dates

🔥 About ONI

Formed in 2014, ONI has carved out a unique space in metal with his fusion of progressive songwriting, crushing metalcore, and melodic hooks. From his debut Ironshore (2016) to the powerful sophomore effort Loathing Light (2022) featuring Iggy Pop and Randy Blythe, to the genre-defying The Silver Line (2023) with collabs including Howard Jones and Sueco, Jake Oni has proven he’s one of the scene’s most versatile and ambitious voices.

The Genesis EP (2025) continues that upward trajectory with singles like “Deja Vu,” “Walk Away,” and “Erase” leading the charge.

Photo Credit: Alexander Bemis

💀 Deep Dive into the Universe of ONI:

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube