Dallas, Texas-based Prabhu Ragunathan, known as Bhloom, recently released his new single/music video, “Doomscroll,” featuring Chaney Crabb & RO1.
A multi-talented guitarist, producer, and composer, Bhloom is renowned for his technical prowess and innovative approach to music. As a prog-metal aficionado, Bhloom is making significant strides in the metal industry and the guitar community through his solo project.
Bhloom has released a series of singles characterized by fast rhythmic guitar playing, unique song structures, and virtuosic lead guitars, all aimed at pushing the envelope for metal music. As a live guitarist for well-known artist, Brandon Burkhalter, he has shared the stage with high profile metal acts including Unprocessed, Red Handed Denial, Hanabie, Attila, Memphis May Fire, Impending Doom, and Galactic Empire.
“Doomscroll” is an intense metal track that tackles the modern obsession with social media and technology, showing how it can make people ignore real-world issues around them. Highlighted by highly acclaimed vocalist Chaney Crabb of Entheos and keyboard virtuoso Rohan Sharma of RO1, the track is an electrifying journey of apocalyptic technical metal.
Tattoo.com spoke with Bhloom to discuss the inspiration for “Doomscroll,” his sound, his gear, and how he got started in music.
Can you share the inspiration behind “Doomscroll,” and the creative process involved in bringing it to life?
‘Doomscroll’ was a product of self-reflection on how much time I spent on my phone, specifically scrolling through posts on the internet. I envisioned a Matrix meets Black Mirror-esque TV series on a post-apocalyptic world where our physical world is deteriorated and we’re more dialed into the digital realm, and worked backwards from the visual ideas to create the music.
Typically, when I have strong visual or conceptual inspiration, I jot all my ideas down on my phone’s Notes app in a very stream of consciousness way. These notes include ideas for the music video, the different types of instrumentation I can use to convey emotions, and even technical notes on guitar tunings and tonal choices.
After I wrote all my notes, I dived into my DAW and started writing a MIDI arrangement of the song. This helps me to structure my song and experiment with compositional choices. Once I had a MIDI demo of the entire song, I recorded the actual guitar performance. Once the song was written and tracked, I sent it off to Russell Hollar, a mix-engineer that worked on my previous single ‘World On Fire.’
What’s the story behind the name Bhloom?
‘Bhloom’ is a play on the words ‘bloom’ and ‘Prabhu,’ my first name. I chose ‘bloom’ to symbolize my continuous growth as both an artist and a human being. Evolving and pushing boundaries is important to me, and the only way to do that is by stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing life’s experiences. While I write metal music, I intentionally avoided a name that feels too ‘metal’ to keep my creative identity open. I like when heavy bands choose names that transcend genres, like Periphery or Sleep Token.
How did you come to connect with vocalist Chaney Crabb?
I first reached out to Chaney after finishing the instrumental for my single ‘World On Fire’ toward the end of 2023. I’ve been a fan of her band, Entheos, ever since seeing them open for Whitechapel in Dallas in May 2023. Her powerful, distinct staccato vocal style seemed like the perfect complement to the tight, almost mechanical instrumentals of ‘World On Fire.’ I contacted Chaney via Instagram, however she let me know she wasn’t taking on any guest vocal work at the time.
Fast forward to March 2023, I had just wrapped up the instrumental mix for my next single, ‘Doomscroll’ and was ready to release it as an instrumental. But then I saw an Instagram story where Chaney announced she was open for a few guest spots. I reached out to her via Instagram/email, and she loved the song and the concept. From there, the vocal and lyrical work took shape. I decided to delay the release to include her vocals and create a lyric video, which was absolutely the right choice. Her vocals and lyrics truly brought ‘Doomscroll’ to life, transforming it into something I couldn’t have imagined or created alone. I’m incredibly grateful for that!
Keyboard virtuoso Rohan Sharma of RO1 adds his talents to “Doomscroll.” How did you get Sharma involved?
Like with Chaney Crabb, I reached out to Rohan Sharma about collaborating on ‘Doomscroll’ through Instagram. I’ve been a big fan of his work, especially the content he’s shared on social media over the past few years. I’m really drawn to how he’s crafted a unique sound on the keyboard, blending traditional synth tones with modern metal guitars – it sounds so cool! When I was creating ‘Doomscroll,’ I wanted to merge electronic and metal elements to capture a futuristic-digital vibe, and Rohan’s solo added that extra layer of musical depth.
Let’s talk gear for a moment. Give us a general overview of your gear.
The production of “Doomscroll” relied heavily on software plugins. I originally composed the song using MIDI virtual instruments, including Mixwave Luke Holland and EZDrummer for drums, Submission Audio Djinnbass for bass, Impact Soundworks Shreddage 3 Hydra for guitar, and Serum for synths and FX. I also used a lot of sample manipulation and sound design to create cinematic layers and enhance the percussion with a variety of sounds.
I often prefer starting with MIDI when writing because it lets me focus on the structure and cohesion of the song. Once the MIDI demo was fully fleshed out, I recorded the actual guitars using my Ernie Ball Music Man Majesty 7-string, tuned to Drop G. This guitar has been my main workhorse for both live shows and recordings over the past few years. I find the DiMarzio pickups super clear, and they handle low frequencies really well, which is extremely important to me when working in low tunings.
For recording, I captured the guitar DI straight into my DAW (Presonus Studio One and Reaper) through a Scarlett Clarett interface.
What one piece of gear do you use to obtain your signature sound?
I’m very particular about the guitar picks I use. I prefer Jim Dunlop .50mm Tortex picks for their comfort and the sharp sound they produce. While .50mm is thinner than what most players typically use, it requires a bit more control, but I like the added flexibility. It gives me more attack on notes and allows me to really dig into articulations. No matter which guitar I’m playing, these picks have become my go-to for most applications!
When someone listens to “Doomscroll,” what do you want them to take away from it?
I hope ‘Doomscroll’ resonates with listeners, reminding them that we’re all trying to find balance between our digital and physical lives. I want it to inspire connection, encouraging people to reach out to others and feel less alone. I also hope the video sparks creativity and motivates more dystopian sci-fi art!
How did you get started in music? What’s the back story there?
Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by music, thanks to my parents, both avid listeners, and my mom, a trained Bharatnatyam dancer. My first formal music experience was singing in the school choir from 2nd to 5th grade. In middle school, I explored several instruments, including clarinet, saxophone, and piano, but none resonated with me quite like the guitar, which I picked up around 8th grade. The electric guitar felt liberating, and the heavy sounds of rock and metal gave me a newfound sense of confidence.
Throughout high school, I was mainly a bedroom guitarist, sharing videos online. It wasn’t until college that I started playing in bands and discovered music production, which completely shifted my musical direction and opened up new possibilities.
Did your sound evolve naturally, or did you push it in a certain direction?
For the most part, my sound has evolved naturally over time. While I’ve recently been laser-focused on writing heavy music, I still draw on my past experiences with rock, electronic, and hip-hop, especially in terms of production. Groove has always been important to me, no matter the genre, and I feel my understanding of rhythm has deepened over the years. Even though I now incorporate more complex rhythmic variations than I did when I was younger, I’ve maintained a strong focus on staying in the ‘pocket.’
The only conscious decision I’ve made regarding my sound is to keep the overarching goal of writing heavy music, particularly metal. I don’t see this as a limitation or a barrier to exploring different sounds, but rather as a guiding framework. It provides context while allowing me to pull from various influences and create something unique.
Which do you enjoy the most: writing, recording, practicing, or playing live?
Performing live is where I truly thrive. While writing and recording often go hand in hand for me—since much of my writing happens directly in the DAW—I enjoy the creative process and the gradual evolution of a song. However, playing live connects with me on a much deeper level. It energizes me in a way the studio never can. Being on stage is one of the rare times I feel completely present, a unique blend of adrenaline and calm that brings me immense joy. As an extrovert, I also love the social aspect of live shows, meeting new people, and sharing that energy with others.
How do you define success?
To me, success is about staying passionate and motivated in life, inspiring others, and continuously pushing the boundaries of music and guitar. While money and fame are often associated with the idea of success, they would be meaningless if they came at the expense of these core values.
What’s next for Bhloom?
I’m currently working on a full-length album set for release in 2025, along with launching my live band to support the new material. The album will feature a diverse range of artists from the metal community, including guitarists, vocalists, and keyboardists. ‘Doomscroll’ was a pivotal moment in shaping this album, as incorporating vocals helped define my musical vision moving forward. This project will build on the heavy, aggressive sound of my previous singles, while also introducing more melodic elements.
As for live performances, I’ll be gearing up for regional and national shows with Brandon Burkhalter. Stay tuned to my social media for upcoming show announcements!
