Tag Archives: #MetalRevival

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

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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:

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#metal, Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Live Events, LIVE TOURS AND EVENTS, New Music Release

JOB FOR A COWBOY Returns With Blistering New Single and Video: “The Agony Seeping Storm” – Prepare for a Decade-Long Awaited Album

Arizona death metallers JOB FOR A COWBOY return after a near decade long hiatus with their brand new single and accompanying video for [“The Agony Seeping Storm”](insert video link). The track comes by way of the band’s first new full-length in a decade, set for release in 2024 via Metal Blade Records!

JOB FOR A COWBOY released their Sun Eater full-length in 2014. The record received an overwhelmingly positive response, with [Decibel Magazine](insert Decibel Magazine website link) confessing, “Fuck it, I can admit when I’m wrong… while I was busy pointedly not paying attention to them, these deathcore progenitors actually became a pretty damn good band.” In a 4.5/5 review, [Alternative Press](insert Alternative Press website link) championed, “a full-on progressive death metal band… the songs have progressive sweep and epic power, at times recalling Opeth’s heavier work,” adding, “Sun Eater is one of 2014′s best metal albums, period,” while [Metal Injection](insert Metal Injection website link) hailed an album, “that will be a solid brick in the foundation of the death metal genre with no gimmicks or trends to back it up.”

Ten years later, the band returns with their most volatile work to date. The as-yet-untitled full-length is at once musically multifaceted, unabashedly brutal, and compellingly conceptual. First single, [“The Agony Seeping Storm”](insert video link), is a mathematically mind-blowing hybrid of bludgeoning death metal specializing in unconventional riffing that echoes the resemblance of legendary experimentalists like Cynic, Atheist, and Gorguts. A newly refreshed and reinspired lineup – vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Tony Sannicandro and Al Glassman, bassist Nick Schendzielos, and drummer (since 2020) Navene Koperweis – seamlessly pick up the mantle where Sun Eater left off.

Listen/watch
JOB FOR A COWBOY’s “The Agony Seeping Storm” video HERE

Issues Davy, “‘The Agony Seeping Storm’ gives a slice of our upcoming concept record. Regarding the video, the band collaborated extensively with director K. Hunter Lumar (Digital Mile), while our bassist, Nick Schendzielos, co-directed. The concept was inspired by a close friend who embarked on a relentless quest for profound enlightenment through the incessant abuse of hallucinogenic drugs. However, as they delved deeper into their religious-like experimentation they began exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. They came to believe that they could access an alternate, esoteric reality through hallucinogenic intoxication, where they encountered gnostic and biblical figures and imagery. These songs reflect their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.”

Further info on JOB FOR A COWBOY’s new full-length will be revealed in the coming weeks. Stay alert!

JOB FOR A COWBOY’s official comeback show will take place at this year’s edition of Blue Ridge Rock Fest with additional live dates to be announced soon.

JOB FOR A COWBOY Live:
9/08/2023 Blue Ridge Rock Fest – Alton, VA

JOB FOR A COWBOY hails from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band’s debut album, Genesis, was released in 2007, peaking at #54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009’s Ruination, sold 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week to debut at position #42 on the Billboard 200 chart! The band has been described by [The New York Times](insert The New York Times website link) as “an Arizona band with a guttural, brute-force sound descended (indirectly) from hardcore punk,” and a, “straightforwardly brutal act,” by [Rolling Stone Magazine](insert Rolling Stone Magazine website link). The band has appeared on numerous music festivals both stateside and abroad, including Sounds Of The Underground, Download Festival, Mayhem Festival, Summer Slaughter, Graspop Metal Meeting, and Wacken Open Air, among others.

Photo by Tom Couture

JOB FOR A COWBOY:
Jonny Davy – vocals
Al Glassman – guitar
Nick Schendzielos – bass
Tony Sannicandro – guitar

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#metal, #Rock, Cutting Edge Culture Updates, New Music Release

Ex Aegis Unveils Debut Album Through “Head West” Lyric Video

EX AEGIS emerges as a dynamic fusion of classic Hard Rock, Power Metal, Progressive Rock, with a touch of Pop for added flavor. Founded in 2019 by close friends and skilled guitarists, Scott Allen and Ryan Bowe, the band’s mission was crystal clear: rekindle the kind of Metal that had been craved since the decline of Rock and Metal in the mid-nineties. Melding influences like Van Halen, Queensryche, King Diamond, and Ozzy Osbourne, alongside their own distinctive styles, Ryan and Scott embarked on creating their inaugural masterpiece.

After an unfortunate pandemic-related delay in 2020, all the puzzle pieces were in place, except one. Enter the powerhouse vocalist, Judith Morgan. Jude possessed the vocal range, passion, and versatile chops to navigate through the twists and turns the duo had crafted. With the thunderous drumming of Alex Bosson and the meticulous production of Tom Frost, the recording and mixing process reached its culmination.

Watch the “Head West” lyric video

The outcome is now unveiled to the world – a tribute to the glory days of Rock and Metal and a glimpse into the future. A firm declaration that Rock is far from extinct. EX AEGIS introduces an all-encompassing Metal style that doesn’t forsake melody and catchy hooks. They uphold an unwavering focus on songcraft while keeping the instrumental virtuosity that defines remarkable Metal. The music welcomes Hard Rock enthusiasts with open arms, yet retains the intensity and boldness that unmistakably define the band’s Metal identity. The tracks shine with heavy riffs, scorching solos, monumental hooks, and celestial vocals. EX AEGIS emphatically announces that the era of Metal isn’t behind us but ahead. Their debut album release will serve as the first stepping stones, evolving into an unstoppable force that propels Metal back into the mainstream.

EX AEGES – PROMO – 01242023

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ASINHELL Unveils “Fall of the Loyal Warrior” VideoBAND FEATURES VOLBEAT’S MICHAEL POULSEN, MARC GREWE (INSIDIOUS DISEASE, EX-MORGOTH), + MORTEN TOFT HANSEN (RAUNCHY)

Debut Album “IMPII HORA” Out September 29 via Metal Blade Records

For over two decades, vocalist/guitarist Michael Poulsen has been at the forefront of the Danish rock and roll machine Volbeat, with eight full-length albums, millions of records sold, and massive stadium shows worldwide. Before leading Volbeat, Poulsen co-founded the death metal band Dominus, recording four fast, brutal albums in the mid-’90s. While working on songs for Volbeat’s 2021 album, “Servant Of The Mind,” Poulsen crafted a collection of death metal riffs and stored them on his phone. After completing the Volbeat record, he rekindled the fire of Armageddon and formed his new death metal band, ASINHELL. Their debut album, “Impii Hora” (Latin for Ungodly Hour), pays tribute to Poulsen’s favorite old-school groups, blending crushing riffs with powerful guitar hooks and shout-along refrains.

“Impii Hora” will be released on September 29 via Metal Blade. Pre-order it HERE

Today, the band shares the official video for “Fall of the Loyal Warrior,” celebrated by Consequence as a return to Poulsen’s roots!

https://www.youtu.be/renC9qBzKZQ

Watch it here:

Poulsen expressed, “The song is kind of a tribute to bands I love, like Bolt Thrower, Entombed, Autopsy, Grave, and Darkthrone. They’re the reason why we can do this in the first place, and we’re proud to wear our influences on our sleeve. The album was inspired by late ’80s and early ’90s old school death metal, and one of our brightest points of inspiration was the mighty Death, fronted by the legendary Chuck Schuldiner. There’s a lot of Death in there. Schuldiner is one of my favorite death metal vocalists, the other being our vocalist Marc [Grewe]. So to me, this song is the combination of two of my favorites. ‘Let the metal flow,’ as Chuck would have said!”

Poulsen collaborated with longtime friend and neighbor, drummer Morten Toft Hansen (Raunchy), on crafting the death metal revival. The duo began jamming on riffs, setting up in Morten’s tiny garage, with no mics or P.A., just a drum kit and a combo amp turned all the way up, reminiscent of their teenage days. They swiftly created new songs every time they met. To add vocals, Poulsen turned to his good friend and one of his all-time favorite death metal growlers: Marc Grewe (Insidious Disease, ex-Morgoth).

“I had known Michael quite a long time and he always mentioned that we should do a death metal project one day, but I never took him too seriously because he was so busy with Volbeat,” Grewe says. “Then he called for real and said, ‘Yeah, I want to do it now. Are you up for it?’ Immediately, I was like, ‘Yes, of course!'”

Completing the trio, Volbeat producer Jacob Hansen stepped in to produce, mix, and play bass on their debut album. For lead guitar, Poulsen enlisted his friend and The Arcane Order axeman, Flemming C. Lund.

The album will be available in various formats:

  • Jewel case CD
  • 180g Black Vinyl (Europe excl.)
  • Crimson Red Marbled Vinyl (Europe excl.)
  • White Vinyl (Europe excl., ltd. 1000)
  • Gold/Black Dust (EMP excl., ltd. 300)
  • Clear w/ Red/White Splatter Vinyl (Europe Band store excl., ltd. 500)
  • Silver Vinyl (US excl.)
  • Silver w/ Red Splatter Vinyl (US excl.)
  • Black & White Melt Vinyl (US excl.)
  • Red/Black Splatter Vinyl (US Band store excl., ltd. 500)

“IMPII HORA” TRACK LISTING:

  1. Fall of the Loyal Warrior
  2. Inner Sancticide
  3. Island of Dead Men
  4. Trophies
  5. The Ultimate Sin
  6. Wolfpack Laws
  7. Desert of Doom
  8. Pyromantic Scryer
  9. Impii Hora
  10. Føj for Helvede

ASINHELL ARE:

  • Michael Poulsen: Guitar
  • Marc Grewe: Vocals
  • Morten Toft Hansen: Drums

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