Post-hardcore Japanese rockers coldrain’s second single, “8AM,” became the theme song for the anime series Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger. ∙ The band traveled to the US to record their 2012 EP, Through Clarity, with producer David Bendeth (Paramore, All Time Low). ∙ Their fourth studio album, 2015’s Vena, featured “Runaway,” a collaboration with Papa Roach singer Jacoby Shaddix. ∙In 2020, the group’s annual rock festival, Blare Fest, included Western acts Crown the Empire and We Came As Romans on the typically all-Japanese bill. ∙ During the COVID-19 pandemic, coldrain posted three of their live DVDs online so homebound fans could watch for free.