The Pitch: The wheel of classic metalcore comebacks continues spinning with the return of California's Bleeding Through. Originally disbanding after the 2012 album The Great Fire, the band has reformulated to deliver a new full length release through SharpTone Records.
What I Like: Within the metalcore community, Bleeding Through has been a somewhat divisive band. People seem to love 'em or hate 'em, and I've found myself on both sides of the fence at one time or another. Their Trustkill debut This Is Love, This Is Murderous was among the first metalcore albums I ever bought (at Hot Topic, lol), and I count hearing The Boondock Saints intro to the epic "Love Lost In A Hail Of Gunfire" as a formative experience that spurred me to explore the excellent Portrait Of The Goddess along with a number of other bands I might have otherwise missed. However, the release of 2006's The Truth left me feeling betrayed with its generic, mainstream sound, and it wasn't until many years later that I came back to recognize the quality of later releases like Declaration.
All of this to say that while I was excited at the prospect of a new Bleeding Through album, I wasn't without reasonable reservations. Even their best albums have had their share of inconsistencies and tend to pale in comparison to other classics from the likes of Poison The Well or As I Lay Dying. But hell, I'm always down to see if a band from my high school years can still throw down some solid material.
Well it seems that the answer is yes. Tracks like "Slave" and "No One From Nowhere" prove that the band can still do what they do best: craft intensely heavy, catchy metal music. Mind you, it may not be the most substantive material out there, but that's never really been their mission statement. Bleeding Through have always had cheesy, cliche lyrics that demonstrate a middle schooler's idea of what it means to be "clever." But thanks to a pop-savvy approach to composition, memorable riffs, and of course the atmospheric keyboard additions of the talented Marta Peterson this album manages to be another enjoyable, headbanging experience.
Even moments that start to fall flat are often saved either by Marta's ear for interesting, classically-infused textures or Scott's lead guitar. And of course, frontman Brandon Shieppati continues to be an imposing presence both in voice and stature. He's one of the few "tough guy" vocalists I continue to enjoy over the years due to his consistently threatening harsh delivery (exhibit A: the intro to "No One From Nowhere"). Also, he does more than talk the talk. Brandon could legitimately kick my ass, and I respect his commitment to fitness.
Critiques: Now that's not to say I wouldn't make any changes to this album. I can forgive sophomoric platitudes, but only within the context of otherwise good songs. "Darkness A Feeling I Know," aside from sounding straight out of some angsty 7th-grader's notebook, is just an awful way to open up the album. Even as a fan, I was tempted to throw in the towel right then and there; so I know that those less willing to persist are likely to be turned away from the get go. "Fade Into The Ash" doesn't do much for me either barring Marta's cool symphonic solo, and while "End Us" has its moments...we are now 3 tracks in without much to show for it. Kicking off with the ripping fan service of "Cold World" would have been a much better decision.
The Verdict: Love Will Kill All is certainly not Bleeding Through's best album, but it's far from their worst either. Especially considering everything from "Cold World" on, I'd honestly put it just below The Great Fire and a step above the self-titled. Truth be told, it may actually be a bit more consistent than Love Lost..., and it's leaps and bounds better than the latest Underoath. I realize that I may start a civil war with that last comment, but it's my honest opinion. Bottom line: if you're a fan, you'll likely be happy with the result; but if you never liked them to begin with, this probably won't change your mind.
Flight's Fav's: Slave, Cold World, No One From Nowhere
- Review by FlightOfIcarus
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