ALBUM REVIEW: Bleed From Within – ‘Zenith’

Scotland’s Bleed From Within are a well-established name in metal with a career spanning two-decades. Zenith celebrates their achievements to date, from their continued growth to the unceasing desire to push the boundaries of their sound. What is unmissable with Zenith is the stylistically diverse tracklist ranging from melodic death metal to a more modern metalcore sound, through which Bleed From Within reveal their highs and lows.

Greeted by Violent Nature, a fast-paced, high-energy, heavy opener, a haunting mood is revealed, one which returns frequently across Zenith. Leaning into religious themes through the lyrics “This is my confession”, the inclusion of a synth choir injects an ethereal quality. There is a touch of the theatrical in Zenith that manifests in the track’s arrangements through dramatic introductions, choirs, vocals layers and atmospheric soundscapes. In Place Of Your Halo thunderous hits, aggressive harsh vocals and dissonance form an eerie sound. The chorus emerges powerfully—the impact feels immense with choir layers. Perhaps, the most intriguing and unexpected features of In Place Of Your Halo, are the appearance of bag pipes and marching snare drums. Both of which actually work brilliantly.

The intensity of Zenith is inescapable. Fast driving percussion, menacing guitars and fierce harsh establish the dark mood before the track transforms with a soaring, anthemic chorus. The contrast enhances each element further, making the heavy heavier and the uplifting more captivating. Upon reaching the bridge, synths are accompanied with an operatic, floating vocal melody. Heavy instruments are drip fed back in blending the two styles and it subsequently marries the two characteristics of Zenith despite deviating from the track’s earlier arrangement. It’s a sudden descent into thundering realms with God Complex. This rhythmically driven, abrasive track is an expulsion of fury. Backing shouts bring a commanding power. On A Hope In Hell, Bleed From Within deliver an intriguing interplay of light and shade across the instruments and vocals. The moodiness is counterbalanced with an elevated feel, though neither seem to remain for long before the other interjects.

Lying in wait in the shadows, a cinematic offering is found in Dying Sun. Shrouded in an atmospheric cloak dramatic percussion, prominent bass and cultish chants bring an air of mystery. A sudden explosion of rhythms signifies the main content of the song. The breakdown hits slow and hard and segues a return into the cinematic bookending Dying Sun. Immortal Desire (featuring Mastodon’s Brann Dailor) continues the eerie effect with staccato choir vocals. Dynamically, Immortal Desire rises and falls across the instrumental layers. The melodic chorus leans out of the darkness somewhat, though it perhaps loses some of its impact with the haunting setting established elsewhere in the track. The raucous speed of Chained To Hate sits stylistically in the same realms as God Complex. It’s a fierce onslaught, pausing only for a moment before opening up a demonic sound in its ferocious breakdown.

Bleed From Within’s most experimental track on the album has to be Known By No Name. With its intriguing electronic led opening, I did wonder for a moment if I’d somehow switched over to The Prodigy. With intense, high-speed momentum powered through the instruments, the choir floats overhead. Upon reaching the chorus, the progression and vocal layering feels somewhat reminscient of Muse. The collision of style shifts is certainly impactful, but something does feel somewhat amiss, as though these striking aspects are just a bit too disjointed. Hands Of Sin with Sylosis’ Josh Middleton returns to more standard track arrangement with its soaring chorus, formidable rhythms and melodic guitar leads. Drawing to a close, Edge Of Infinity brings a lighter brighter, and more uplifting emotional tone with an acoustic guitar, electric lead, orchestral strings and emotional clean vocals. Erupting into heavy, the juxtaposition is a powerful effect. Alternating between the light and gloom throughout, the song has a ‘liminal’ feel—not quite one thing nor the other. It’s aptly, musically, on the edge.

Each track on Zenith carries a distinctive character. Showcasing the multi-faceted nature of Bleed From Within’s sound, the tracklist does aptly bring to life the trials and successes faced by a band with such a long-standing career. Switching up their sound quite significantly at times, you never quite know what is coming next. Zenith’s journey ultimately balances light and dark, and this does come through the track order, especially with its ending, Edge Of Infinity. While it’s understandable some listeners may feel the album veers off at times, the variety means it does create intrigue as to what may come next.

For fans of: Sylosis, Bury Tomorrow, Orbit Culture

‘Zenith’ by Bleed From Within is out now on Nuclear Blast Records.

Words by Holly Royle