Zenith Clear & Gold Splatter Vinyl

After 20 years, Bleed from Within have reached their Zenith. The Glasgow firebrands are one of the hardest working acts in metal playing shows globally with everyone from Megadeth to Slipknot, all while writing and regularly releasing monstrous, exhilarating songs. The upward journey reaches new heights on their seventh album, which contains the bands heaviest, catchiest and most intrepid music to date. Bleed vocalist Scott Kennedy, guitarists Craig Goonzi Gowans and Steven Jones, drummer Ali Richardson and bassist Davie Provan have long been Scottish metals most valued sons, constantly at the vanguard of muscularsounding music. First albums Humanity 2009 and Empire 2010 made them cult figureheads in the deathcore scene, before Uprising 2013 broadened their palate with groove metal adrenaline and melodic death metal prowess. It also marked their majorlabel debut, catapulting them onto tours with heavy royalty. In 2018, the band returned with the ferocious Era. Then, followups Fracture 2020 and Shrine 2022 proved their greatest triumphs to date, intertwining Scotts snarls with Stevens majestic singing. The millions of streams gathered by such singles as The End of All We Know, Into Nothing and Levitate proved Bleed had become the next big thing. Now, on Zenith announced ahead of careeraffirming tours with Slipknot, Trivium and Bullet for My Valentine the quintet are primed to leap into superstardom. We came up with the name Zenith because, if somebody or a band is described as being at their zenith, then theyre at their highest point so far, says Ali. Were acknowledging everything that weve done to get to where we are now, but also recognising the space above us and how far we still have to go. Theres been so much growth, but we still have so much to experiment with. Across 11 songs, Zenith explores the parameters of what pulsepounding metal can do. Violent Nature is the most attentiondemanding opener Bleed have ever penned, accelerating from a distorted intro to an onslaught of drums, blitzkrieg riffs and layer upon layer of screams. Single In Place of Your Halo is a heavier counterpoint its hulking groove leads up to a surprising bagpipe section, keeping the band in touch with their homeland as they affirm themselves on the worlds stage.From the bouncing chords on God Complex to finale Edge of Infinity, which rises from acoustic guitars and singing to an almighty crescendo, Bleeds horizons have never been broader. Yet, their songs have never felt so invigorating across the board either. Theres a fearlessness that comes with how long weve been doing this now, Ali says. Theres been stuff that we wanted to do in the past, but wed been worried about how it would be interpreted. Weve put it all out here. Thats what I think a lot of people will notice from the record. Just as empowering as Zeniths music are its lyrics. The choir backed chorus of Known by No Name commands the listener to rise from the grave, while A Hope in Hell implores them to pick themselves up and carry on after falling to adversity. Elsewhere, Dying Sun commands, Dont stand in my way Give me the strength to take your pain away As well as powerhouse metal tracks, these are songs of endurance, their motivational messaging inspired by the bands intense work ethic. Its recognising the time and effort put in, says Ali. The top of every mountain is the bottom of another, and thats where Bleed from Within are at. It never fucking stops, you know As soon as this records out, were going to be writing the next one and, again, were gonna be pushing ourselves. Thats what Zenith is. Thats what this writing process was about. Were recognising and enjoying that struggle. Finding peace within that is when you find true happiness. Proving Bleeds place as rising heroes of metal is the array of talent attached to Zenith. Sikth guitarist and lauded producersongwriter Dan Weller assisted with the vocal production. Wes Hauch, of US death metal darlings Alluvial, and shredder extraordinaire Rabea Massaad Toska, Vower, Frog Leap Studios contribute guest solos. Most apparent and prestigious, though, are the guest vocals from Alis Sylosis bandmate Josh Middleton on remixed single Hands of Sin and Brann Dailor of prog metal idols Mastodon on Immortal Desire. It goes without saying that we are massive Mastodon fans, every single one of us, Ali explains. They just get better and better. They seem to fly the flag for, this far into their career, consistently raising the bar. That massively inspires me. He continues, We did a set on Headbangers Boat 2023 and Ill never forget playing, looking up and going, Fucking hell, Brann Dailors watching me Later that night, Kennedys at the bar, and Brann approaches him and says, Your band are great. Ive heard you guys and I thought you did a great set. Songwriting for Zenith started in the spring of 2022, and after that the album was recorded over a year, meticulously tracked between tour dates. The result of all that graft is un