Bleed From Within Zenith

Bleed From Within, a band hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, has been a formidable presence in the metalcore and modern metal scenes since their formation in 2005. The band has made a significant impact on the genre with their intense brand of metal and over the years, they have released several critically acclaimed albums, not to mention touring with metal giants such as Slipknot, Trivium and Megadeth. Known for their dynamic riffs, aggressive drumming, and captivating performances, Bleed From Within has consistently pushed the boundaries of modern metal, garnering a loyal fanbase worldwide.

Throughout their career, Bleed From Within has evolved significantly in terms of their musical style. Early in their career, the band was heavily influenced by traditional metalcore, characterised by breakdowns, a mix of guttural and clean vocals, and melodic interludes. However, as they progressed, they began to incorporate elements from other metal subgenres, such as death metal, groove metal, and even progressive metal, creating a unique and multifaceted sound.

Drummer Ali Richardson says of Zenith:

“We came up with the name Zenith because, if somebody or a band is described as being at their ‘zenith’, then they’re at their highest point so far. We’re acknowledging everything that we’ve done to get to where we are now, but also recognising the space above us and how far we still have to go. There’s been so much growth, but we still have so much to experiment with.”

Due for release on April 4th, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records, Zenith is Bleed From Within's latest offering, and it marks yet another significant milestone in their career. The album consists of 11 tracks, each showcasing the band's relentless energy and unwavering commitment to their craft. From the opening track to the closing notes, Zenith takes listeners on a powerful and immersive journey.

In evaluating whether Zenith is a good album, several factors need to be considered, including musicianship, production quality, lyrical content, and overall impact. One of the most striking aspects of Zenith is the level of musicianship displayed by each member of the band. The guitar work is particularly impressive, with Craig ‘Goonzi’ Gowans and Steven Jones delivering intricate riffs and solos that demonstrate their technical prowess. Ali Richardson's drumming is equally commendable, providing a solid and dynamic foundation for each track. Scott Kennedy's vocal performance is powerful and versatile, seamlessly transitioning between guttural growls and melodic cleans. Overall, the band's musicianship on this album is top-notch, showcasing their growth and evolution as artists.

"Violent Nature" sets the tone and pace for the record with flurries of intense blast-beats, slamming riffs and an ungodly roar from Scott Kennedy. The great thing about this album is there are absolutely no fillers whatsoever and every track is a certified banger in its own right whilst flowing smoothly in an album format. In "Place of Your Halo" is one of the lead tracks and is full of chugging groove, heavy death metal elements and hauntingly demonic synths complete with a devastating breakdown and Kennedy’s devastating venomous rasps. The highlight of this track, however, is the use of the bagpipes which pays homage to the band's homeland. This creates an ominous atmosphere, especially teamed with the war-like marching drums as the track reaches its conclusion.

It's during the title track that we begin to hear a mix of clean and guttural vocals with Kennedy seamlessly alternating between the two to create a melodic layer to the cacophony of rage with assistance from haunting female vocalisations. Plus, there are more breakdowns and chugging mid-tempo groove-stomps to keep things interesting. "God Complex" is bouncy, enraged and ridiculously catchy, capitalising on frantic groove and chant-worthy choruses whereas "A Hope In Hell" takes on a more keyboard ambient form, weaving its way throughout the guitars and drums with the addition of more clean vocals. This is the closest this album gets to a “ballad” without actually being a ballad.

It wouldn't be a modern metal album without special guest spots. Brann Dailor of Mastodon provides guest vocals on a backdrop of cleaner guitars and operatic vocalisations in "Immortal Desire" whereas Josh Middleton of Sylosis makes an appearance on the devastatingly heavy "Hands of Sin."

Bottom Line: Zenith is a remarkable album that showcases Bleed From Within at the height of their powers. With its impressive musicianship, polished production, and thought-provoking lyrics, it stands as one of the band's finest works to date. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the band, Zenith is an album that deserves your attention. It's a powerful and immersive experience that will leave a lasting impression and solidify Bleed From Within's status as one of the leading bands in the modern metalcore scene.