Bleed from Within – Zenith
Release Date: 4th April 2024
Label: Nuclear Blast
Order/Stream
Genre: Pure Scottish Metal
FFO: In Flames, Lamb of God, Mastodon.
Review By: Eric Wilt
Scottish metal titans Bleed from Within continue their ascent with Zenith, a polished and powerful modern metal album that fuses elements of metalcore, groove metal, and melodic death metal. The band self-identifies as “pure Scottish metal,” and while that’s an apt descriptor, Zenith also showcases a variety of influences that make it more than just a straightforward heavy album.
The production is top-notch, allowing every riff, breakdown, and vocal line to hit with precision. Tracks like Violent Nature, A Hope in Hell, and Dying Sun lean heavily into melodic metal territory, echoing the modern-era sound of In Flames. Meanwhile, In Place of Your Halo injects some djent-inspired riffing, adding an extra layer of technicality.
Two of the most accessible tracks, Immortal Desire (featuring Mastodon’s Brann Dailor) and Hands of Sin (featuring Sylosis’ Josh Middleton), could easily find a home on modern metal radio, thanks to their balance of melody and heaviness. On the flip side, Zenith’s title track and Chained to Hate are full-throttle, adrenaline-fueled anthems built for workouts and pits alike.
One of the most intriguing moments comes with Known by No Name, where the addition of a soprano female voice in the choruses brings a fresh dynamic to the album’s sound. Edge of Infinity offers another standout moment, beginning with a mellow intro and featuring piano and acoustic guitar.
Zenith is a well-crafted, high-energy record that will satisfy fans of metalcore and melodic death metal alike. While it may not break new ground, its mix of aggression, melody, and technicality makes for an enjoyable listen.
(3.5 / 5)
