Released: Apr 13, 2010
Genre: Metalcore, melodic death metal, symphonic black metal
Label: Rise
Number Of Tracks: 12
So many bands pay lip service to returning to their roots on later albums. Orange County's Bleeding Through, who've always played some form of blackened metalcore, get heavier, angrier and blacker on this self-titled monster.
Bleeding ThroughFeatured review by: UG Team, on april 29, 2010 0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: Call me biased. I don't care. I've loved Bleeding Through since Molly was their keyboardist on Portrait of the Goddess. Through the years, this Orange County metalcore band, which has a blackened and foreboding ambience thanks to their ethereal keyboards, has evolved and grown, but they take a few welcome steps back on Bleeding Through. This album is nastier, gnarlier and angrier than anything the band has done since 2003's This is Love, This is Murderous, which is arguably their best record. Indeed, black metal snobs might be appalled, disgusted even, at the notion that is blackened metalcore, but that's exactly what it is. It's metalcore, thanks to the breakdowns. But it's also got a dark, Euro metal atmosphere that sets the band apart from so many of its peers. There are artillery riffs, impacts-like-an-atom-bomb drum mania and lots of those pretty keyboards, delivered courtesy of Marta Peterson, who is often categorized as one of the hottest chicks in metal. She's also talented, lest any of your testosterone-driven dudes out there forget she can actually play her instrument. The melody she provides the contrast to the ultra aggression of the riffs and the vocals. I believe they call that balance. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: There's not too much in the way of clean singing, which Brandan Schieppati has attempted (to mixed fan results) on past Bleeding Through albums, like The Truth, here, except on "Salvation Never Found," which totally f--king rules and the clean parts are sung by bassist Ryan Wombacher. Overall, though, Schieppati is barking with the voracity of a kennel of angry, unfed dogs on "Anti-Hero," which is easily the album's best track, thanks to its chant and its all out war intensity. Seriously, I was sort of worried Schieppati would have some sort of aneurism since he ups the ante on Bleeding Through, and that's like saying he poured gasoline or kerosene on an already raging grease fire! "Your Abandonment" and "Fifteen Minutes" are also tense clusters of musical mayhem. It leaves you wondering why kids from such a beautiful, sunny region such as Orange County, California would be so f--king pissed off. But the album's an excellent exercise in doing something productive with pent up rage and then being refreshed from the release. Cathartic doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of this record's vibe. Schieppati is prone to dropping the "eff" bomb with incredible frequency, but it's a lyrical convention that certainly fits the music, which invites kids with axes to grind –whether said axes be against their friends, parents or teachers is a case-by-case basis—to sing along and vent their frustration to! The only other band that I can think of that has this kind of vocal cleansing and redemptive nature is Hatebreed, which I am sure many readers will go forth and argue about, which I encourage! // 9
Impression: Again, the band hasn't sound this bloodthirsty since its earliest days. The band turns back to the clock, but that doesn't mean this is some sort of negative step back. In fact, it's a step forward to return to the roots that have served the band so well, as contradictory as that may sound. Trust me, this album is Bleeding Through, circa 2002, but on steroids, metaphorically speaking. Bleeding Through is a total fist to the Adam's apple and is spray painted with just the right coating of blackness. // 8
Bleeding Through
Reviewed by:
SkepsisMetal, on april 29, 2010 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Over the last eleven years, and six studio albums, Bleeding Through have progressed steadily upward in their music career.
From Dust To Ashes in 2001, right up to the recent self-titled on April 13th 2010, their overall sound has changed across their releases but they stuck true to their original metalcore vibe each time. This latest release came with less hype than previous efforts, however that's not to say its a disappointment. At all.
I, as a consumer, always stream a record before buying and I came across this without actually realising it had been released yet. Beginning with the track 'A Ressurection', which is the bands second attempt at an instrumental opening track, after 'Finnis Fatalis Spei' off 'Declaration', and I have to say I much prefer this track overall as it includes drumming behind the orchestration, and no 300 soundbite at the end.
Track 2, 'Anti-Hero' begins in predictable, explosive metalcore style and continues through to the end, and makes way for 'Your Abandonment'. This seems to me, although a very touchy subject among metallers, one of the heavier tracks on the album and will take some getting used to if you are new to the band or genre.
The next track, 'Fifteen Minutes' is another fast-paced song, that follows in the signature sound of the band, and ends with a crushing breakdown akin to their earlier records.
'Salvation Never Found' is the first track to heavily feature clean vocals, which are executed beautifully among the more melodic sound of this track.
However its back to heavy with 'Breathing In Wrath' which is exactly as the name suggests; heavy and angry, almost bodering on the melo-death sound of bands such as Arch Enemy and In Flames with some synth layered over.
The skills of Marta Peterson on the keyboards and synth really stand out in the mix of 'This Time Nothing Is Sacred', although you have to listen for it as it is unfortunately low in the mix, as it usually is, which I think is a great disappointment.
Either way though, there is no denying the overall brilliance of 'Divide The Armies', one of my two personal favourites on the CD. More heavy synth usage here, along with simple, in your face riffs that compliment the screams perfectly. This song features two solos within the structure, and is definately a must listen.
The thundering drum introduction to 'Drag Me to the Ocean' promises great things, however the song as a whole, I feel, is lacking in terms of what the other tracks have to offer. It's not bad by any means, but the weakest on the album in my opinion.
'Light My Eyes', being my other favourite thus far, opens with a much mellower atmosphere in comparison with other tracks, a quiet repeated guitar line under echoed vocals, swiftly cut off by the introduction to a song much more recognisable as Bleeding Through. Another must listen.
The last two tracks, 'Slow Your Roll' and 'Distortion, Devotion' respectively, bow out the album in great form, not feeling as if they were just stuck on the end to fill a gap as I have felt with numerous albums by bands in similar genres.
'Slow Your Roll' really captures an air of aggression, and again borders the melo death sound, with several catchy synth hooks in parts.
The finale of the CD, 'Distortion, Devotion' definately has that "last song on an album" feel to it, complete with a mellow opening, string section, haunting clean vocal melodies and a closure of a simple sustained chord descending to feedback, which I think could have been drawn out slightly longer to capture the feeling of an end, as it really does leave you expecting one more song to come in.
Overall, the band's sound has progressed well over their career and not succumbed to label pressures or high street influences, moving exactly where they want to with each album. This self titled, I feel, captures a true sound of the band, and works brilliantly well. Sure not to disappoint fans or newcomers alike. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Now, I have only owned this CD for a little under a day, and haven't had a great deal of time to read over the lyrics while listening to the songs. As with much music that features heavy usage of screaming vocals, it can be difficult to understand the vocalist off-hand unless they have amazingly good enunciation. However, within this genre, the delivery of the vocals is just as important, if not slightly more, in the overall effect of the piece.
Brandon Schieppati is, to my mind, a well experienced and greatly proficient vocalist in both screams and clean singing, along with lyricist.
The lyrics don't differ greatly in general themes, from album to album, they mostly seem to be dark romantic (or anti-romantic?), fuelled by a anger that rings clear throughout his songs.
I wouldn't say there are any parts of stand-out genius in his writings, but whatever Brandon does; he makes it work.
In the song 'Fifteen Minutes', the breakdown is signaled with a scream of "I'll fucking ruin your life", which really sets a mood for the rest of the album. Across the board, there is a very nihilstic, almost apocalyptic, message to who or whatever the song is about.
The song 'Light My Eyes' features a short amount of lyrics; only about 5 lines worth, however they are executed brilliantly, and differently each time they are sung through.
Nothing to break any trends here, although I am very impressed with Brandon's vocal abilities and wouldn't wish him to change just for the sake of finding something new to write about. // 9
Impression: If you were to paint Bleeding Through into a very general corner, you would refer to them as metalcore. However, I am one of those people who really does hate the state we've got ourselves into with the amount of subgenres in every genre of music. It seems like pointless labelling for the sake of causing arguments. The band definately draws influence from the 'core' sound, hardcore metal and punk infusions; clean vocals mixed with screams and growls. However, they have always struck me as being influenced by some death metal sounds (don't get onto my back about this, I said influenced - I didn't say they played it) and the more symphonic sound of the melo death realms. But, I digress. As compared to other bands within this 'metalcore' genre they definately stand out to me as a band who does not conform to standards and plays what the hell they want to play. I own each of their albums to date, and would definately replace this one if it were stolen or broken, which is likely as I am terrible with keeping CDs in good nick; I almost cried when I broke my copy of The Blackening luckily I got the special edition for a present, and numerous other ones have suffered similar fates. Overall, I tend to buy most of my music off iTunes, or directly from the artists websites to save this trouble....however, again, I digress and will hasten to recommend this album to anyone who is a fan and has not yet heard ir, or someone who is looking for something new in this area of music.
This is my first review, so I apologise if it lacks, or overstates anything, but I hope it will help some of you if only at a skim read, to decide on this CD. // 10
Gaaah, my theory about blackcore is coming true! Expect some part of America to go apeshit at copying it.
That said, its as wierd as hell.. Its slowly getting to me, but the vocals could do with a bit more beefing up. They're a little A7X.
Thing that really puts me off is how cliche it all is. Song titles are cheesy, the band name is pretty generic sounding as well.. but who knows, I'll just have to listen to it more.
So glad he's not the one singing. Voice was prettty bad. But yeah, this new album is pretty ****ing killer. His screams used to annoy me as well, but whatever changed is for the better. Great album.
Gaaah, my theory about blackcore is coming true! Expect some part of America to go apeshit at copying it.
That said, its as wierd as hell.. Its slowly getting to me, but the vocals could do with a bit more beefing up. They're a little A7X.
Thing that really puts me off is how cliche it all is. Song titles are cheesy, the band name is pretty generic sounding as well.. but who knows, I'll just have to listen to it more.
I will probably get flamed to shit for this but oh well; I think calling this band cliched is a bit misleading considering they have been at the forefront of melodic metalcore for quite a while. Its almost like saying Linkin Park are the most cliched Nu-metal band, when in fact this is because they have been at the forefront of the movement of New metal.
Gaaah, my theory about blackcore is coming true! Expect some part of America to go apeshit at copying it.
That said, its as wierd as hell.. Its slowly getting to me, but the vocals could do with a bit more beefing up. They're a little A7X.
Thing that really puts me off is how cliche it all is. Song titles are cheesy, the band name is pretty generic sounding as well.. but who knows, I'll just have to listen to it more.
I will probably get flamed to shit for this but oh well; I think calling this band cliched is a bit misleading considering they have been at the forefront of melodic metalcore for quite a while. Its almost like saying Linkin Park are the most cliched Nu-metal band, when in fact this is because they have been at the forefront of the movement of New metal.
I never really meant the band directly for its music, but just this 'metalcore' image. Every metalcore band has a very similar sort of thing with the name containing a different version of 'blood' and 'love' and 'omg, we're so deep'.
Love this band, they are incredible live
really? when i saw them open for bfmv they sounded like ass
Well its BMFV, they probably didn't put any effort in :p. On a serious note though I've seen them live at least 4 times and on every occasion their performance live has ALWAYS been better than studio.
Loving this album. Only reason it hasn't got much press attention is because they split from Trustkill. Gone down in terms on chart position too but so did Declaration after The Truth which was more accessable to the masses.
Loving this album. Only reason it hasn't got much press attention is because they split from Trustkill. Gone down in terms on chart position too but so did Declaration after The Truth which was more accessable to the masses.
They left trustkill because trustkill screwed them over. Rise has a lot of bands that are somewhat big in metalcore nowadays. Who does trustkill have anymore that is somewhat big? None. In fact, trustkill doesn't even exist anymore.
Though I can't say that rise records have many bands that sound like bleeding through, I am sure that bleeding through had quite a few choices for what label they could go to. If they chose Rise, I am sure it was for good reasons! =)
As far as bleeding through sounding like black metal, they do have some parts about them that are similar to black metal. I would agree that they wouldn't be fully considered black metal but blackmetalcore lol if that even is a genre. I don't know. Bleeding Through just sounds like bleeding through really. I don't know of any other band that sounds exactly like them.
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