Bleeding Through - The Truth Review
Posted by Matt Shoemaker on 01.12.2006
California metal at it's best.
In the past 4 years, Bleeding Through has become one of the most popular, attention-grabbing acts in metal. In 2002, they released their first EP, "Portrait", and signed to Trustkill Records shortly afterwards. In 2004, the band released "This Is Love, This Is Murderous", which earned them spots on Ozzfest, the Warped Tour, a spot on MTV's Headbanger's Ball, and brought songs like "On Wings Of Lead" and "Love Lost In A Hail of Gunfire".
Their success still skyrocketing, the band (vocalist Brandon Schieppati, guitarists Brian Leppke and Scott Danough, bassist Ryan Wombacher, drummer Derek Youngsma, and keyboardist Marta) released "The Truth" on January 10, 2006, which already has the promise to be one of the heaviest albums of the year.
The album opens up with the aggressive, in your face For Love And Falling. Right away, this is a sign that this album is all business. Schieppati's vocals burn over the guitar riffs and drums, and the melodic singing smoothly transitions with everything else in the song. The breakdown has to be the highlight here, with a hauntingly eerie keyboard piece being played over pounding drums and grinding guitars.
Musically, the two things that stand out on this album are the keyboards and the drums. The keboards provide a haunting undertone to the choruses of most songs, which meshes well with the melodic vocals of Schieppati. As far as the drums go, Youngsma does an amazing job fitting an appropriate rhythm with the scorching guitars of Leppke and Danough. The most impressive feat Youngsma brings is his ability to perform blast beats so flawlessly at just about any point in the album.
Hands down, the most beautiful song on this album is Line In The Sand. Even with the heavier chorus, the vocals make this song rather depressing. Line In The Sand also uses the keyboard to it's full effect, continuing throughout the entire song, whether it be the soft verses, or heavy chorus. The solo is also amazing, and very chilling at the same time. Definitly not something you would really expect to hear from such a heavy band.
Overall, this CD is everything I had hoped for in the two years it's been since "This Is Love, This Is Murderous". Everything flows together so cleanly and crisply. Vocals come together very well with the drums and keyboards, and the scorching guitars. The standout songs on this album would have to be Line In The Sand, Confession, She's Gone, Return To Sender, and The Truth.
The 411: Simply put, a flawless metal album. Very well put together, and brilliant, musically, the two year wait was well worth it. Without a doubt, Bleeding Through will have one hell of a year if they continue to perform like this.
