Review Summary: The return of the kings
With a pedigree as tumultuous and diverse as Bleeding Through, it's difficult to cater your expectations as a listener. On one hand, the band has unveiled some devastating and timeless metalcore fare, chock-full of pummeling riffs and earworm hooks that keep you thirsting for more. On the other, they have a tendency to get lost in the weeds of redundant melodrama that detracts from their meritous strengths. So where does that put this latest offering on the relative spectrum? Fortunately, 'NINE' not only embraces the band's punchy prowess, but is easily their strongest effort in seventeen years.
The record opens with a fun little callback, sprinkling in a movie quote from the late great Christopher Lee and earnestly preparing listeners for the band's return to form. "Gallows" is a splendid opener, with various methods of attack such as blast beats, alternate-picked riffs, chuggy refrains, ominous cleans, and a steady undercurrent of melodic keys. It's a calamitous cupcake of metalcore pulverization that sets the stage for a gruesome 42 minutes of reeling carnage. The production leaves no stone unturned, allowing the guitars to grind seamlessly through the blast of the snare with ease, yet not overcrowding the vocals which rest gingerly in the mix. Every element of the compositions is fully realized and molds the perfect frame for this masterwork.
Although every track has a unique identity and feel, "Dead But So Alive" is handily one of the band's greatest achievements. As if roaring in from the depths of Hell, this beast is a rollercoaster of disgusting heaviness, with an infectious clean chorus that adds depth while never shifting momentum. Derek's ferocious and dynamic drumming, Brandon and John’s tasteful riff phrasing, and Brendan and Marta's vocal harmonies mold what I believe to be a perfect Bleeding Through song, brandishing every sonic weapon to jettison you back into prime 00's metalcore poignance. It's heavy, it's catchy, it's technically impressive, and it's everything this band should be. If you were to choose just one track to decide if this record is for you, this would be the one.
Beyond the retreads of classic songwriting modes, there are some nice developments in sound as well, most notably Marta's contributions on keys and vocals. "Emery" throws a welcome curveball, with Marta taking the vocal forefront and letting her talents shine. It's a slower, more emotionally-resonant track with a nice reprieve of soft vocals and clean guitars that fit beautifully. Her ability on keys are never more apparent in tracks such as "Our Brand Is Chaos" and "Hail Destruction" as she injects tons of dark ambience, almost akin to second wave black metal. "Last Breath" is another nice touch, serving as a momentary interlude for pacing. Brandon and John have also developed their playing, clearly felt in the melodic outro of "Unholy Armada", a wonderful bookend to conclude the record. Their solo work also shines in tracks such as "Lost In Isolation", "I Am Resistance" and "War Time" as they dance effortless across the fretboard between the crushing riffage. The compositions are intricate enough to push the creative boundary, yet they remain faithful to the Bleeding Through sound with a brilliant balance of savagery and melody.
In all, 'NINE' is an unprecedentedly kickass record that is sure to please Bleeding Through fans of new and old. I would encourage anyone somewhat apprehensive about this band to at least give this a try. The catchy and dynamic songwriting, melodic twists, and stylistic performances give you tons of material to enjoy and latch onto. Even with nothing left to prove, Bleeding Through far exceeded my expectations, and I look forward to jamming this record more in the future. Check this one out!
