Review Summary: Nostalgic nu-gaze for the masses.
Within the ever-changing landscape of the underground music scene, nu-metal is a genre that has long been thrown to the wayside. What could best be described as an encapsulation of late 90's/early 2000's American culture, bands such as Deftones, Korn, and Linkin Park were making waves as the soundtrack for every teen skater who wanted to be the next Bam Margera. It was a rebellious and chaotic time period, but above all else, an empowering one. Unfortunately, as the crawl of time slowly devours us all and the music industry shifted gears once again, the flames of a once mighty genre began to flicker and fade away. While a few bands have persisted throughout the years, nu-metal/alternative has mostly remained a forgotten relic of a different era in history.
Enter Dallas, Texas-based band Bleed. Exploding onto the scene in 2021 with their introductory EP
Somebody's Closer the band proved early on that they were a glimmer of potential in a stagnant, nearly forgotten scene. Combining elements of grunge, alternative rock, and fuzz-caked shoegaze to create a perfect balance of atmosphere and intensity. Released independently at the time, the band did not sign with a label until (interestingly enough) they caught the attention of predominantly death metal dominated 20 Buck Spin. The label issued vinyl and cassettes in 2022 to appeal to a wider audience, and probably got a kick out of making people think to themselves, "what the
hell is this band doing alongside the likes of Cerebral Rot, Tomb Mold, and Witch Vomit?"
Strange signing aside, Bleed's talent and carefully curated vision as an alt revival act was undeniable, and
Somebody's Closer proved to be a massive success for a young band trying to get their foot in the door. Fast forward a few years, the anticipation for a full length was building to a fever pitch. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity and many fans thinking the band had gone bust, Bleed has returned to put their stamp on the world with their self-titled debut LP,
Bleed.
Kicking things off with "Climbing Down" the band immediately makes a unique jump in their sound right out of the gate, the addition of turntables and
wicky wickys that just beg to be compared to old school Linkin Park. The song shapeshifts into Bleed's trademark ethereal heaviness and airtight songwriting carried by guitarist Ryan Hughes' soaring, yet hypnotically distant vocals. The rest of the band are no slouches in the instrumental department either. The crunchy, overdriven guitar tones captured by Noah Boyce and Rubio N alongside the fuzzy bass of Adam Ackerman and raw drumming courtesy of Carson Wilcox create a wall of sound that resonates with the angsty teen in all of us. There's a certain confidence and authenticity in the way
Bleed unfolds that entices the listener to dive headfirst into its lush, oceanic haze.
The album weaves in and out, maintaining a steady vibe throughout while never losing its lustre. From the eyebrow raising amen break intro in "Through the Cylinder" to the gripping, hook driven lead single "Marathon" Bleed simply demands you to go dust off the old PS2 and fire up some Smackdown Vs. Raw 2007. Lyrically, the album reflects on personal issues such as loneliness and the anxiety of letting down loved ones. Themes that seem to resonate more deeply as time passes and the world delves deeper into chaos, as Hughes articulates this brilliantly without coming across as melodramatic and self-loathing.
"They say time heals all, but time's not mine at all." No sign of slowing down from here, as the second half rivals the first in terms of quality. Second single "Enjoy Your Stay" features none other than Olli Appleyard, vocalist of beloved modern emocore band Static Dress. Appleyard adds that extra flavor of intensity that elevates the album even further as the song collapses in on itself halfway through, with Appleyard belting out underneath vertigo-inducing guitars,
"the body I held so tight, is the one stone cold instead."
"Shallow" is another interesting piece, incorporating hand drums and a much more mellow, stripped down approach. It's a unique, but welcome spin on their sound that almost seems inspired by bands like Filter or Incubus. Refusing to go out without a bang, closing track "Take It Out" brings the album full circle and encapsulates everything that makes the band overwhelmingly heavy, yet intimate until the final chord rings out.
Overall,
Bleed is a triumph of a debut album from a promising young band and one that will keep the rebellious teen in you coming back for more. Self-titled albums can be a touchy subject, whereas some bands simply ran out of ideas and couldn't come up with a cool title, others use the self-titled name as a badge of honor, the embodiment of everything their band stands for. Bleed is a prime example of the latter, and while floating through a sea of monotony, prove that they are a cut above the rest.
