Bleeding Through - Declaration [Review]

Band: Bleeding Through
Album: Declaration
Produced By: Devin Townsend
Genre: Metalcore
Release Date: September 30th, 2008

I've been listening to the new Bleeding Through for a while now (actually just listening to the tracks that I liked off the album so far)

The band proves they are "In The Know" of whats gaining popularity and whats not, this album is a darker and faster release by these eye-lined veterans, and some would say its in a more "Deathcore" direction with Black Metal influences ... the band's frontman Brandan Schieppati once said:

"The melodies are darker, the riffs are heavier. We just wrote a really aggressive record that encompasses everything we've ever tried to do as a band and then raised the bar a notch or two."

The guys did infact get what they wanted on the record, and the album is a heavier release but is very generic and cliché at times, to me alot of the breakdowns used on the album are unnecessary and just take the band a step backwards, like the breakdown on "Orange County Blonde and Blue" at the {2 mins : 11 seconds} count, it just simply reminds of something Bury Your Dead would release (doesnt mean I think Bury Your Dead are bad)

That doesnt mean that "Declaration" is a generic album, tracks like "There Was A Flood", and "Death Anxiety" pick up where 2006's "The Truth" left off with indeed a heavier song structure but at the same time, using some of the catchiest choruses the band ever wrote.

The song that stands out and gives Bleeding Through alot of credit for their song writing abilities would have to be the closing track "Sister Charlatan" stretching to over 8 minutes, this song showcases what the band has been cooking up and serving for fans all these years. I always enjoy a lengthy track when its executed professionaly or atleast with heart.

The always sexy as f*** Marta Peterson shines on this release, the keyboards are more atmospheric then ever, complementing the heavy riffing that goes through out the album (although the guitars are a little low on volume in my opinion)

This is also the debut album for Australian ex-I Killed The Prom Queen guitarist Jona Weinhofen, alot of his fans where disappointed when they found out he didnt lay any vocals for this release. But alot of As I Lay Dying fans might be happy to know that Tim Lambesis layed some vocals for the album's title track.

"Death Anxiety" is the first single and video off of the album, the video was directed by Dave Brodsky (All That Remains and The Black Dhalia Murder)

The instrumental track "The Loving Memory Of England" is a very atmospheric/slow/melancholic track ... nothing more to say.

The band shows off their hardcore roots on songs like "Sellers Market".

The album has a very interesting theme that it revolves around, the song titles are named after different states and cities, Brendan Schieppati says "There are definitely places when we're traveling where every time we go there, we're like, 'Fuck, why do we have to be here?' Like, we'll be in France and all of a sudden we'll feel totally insignificant. You get the feeling that people's eyes are just burning a hole through you."

For example "French Inquisition", "Germany", "Orange County Blonde and Blue" and "The Loving Memory Of England".

In conclusion the album does in fact prove that the band is progressing and trying out some new ideas on their song writing, and also picking up where they left off with "The Truth" with Devin Townsend producing the album to add the finishing touches of insanity into the mix !

If your a fan of Bleeding Through this album will not fail to impress you, but if you have been criticizing this band since "This Is Love, This Is Murderous" then I dont see a reason for you to check it out ...

Pros: "Sister Charlatan" is a great example of what a metalcore band could do if they have the proper talent to stretch out a track into 8 minutes, also the choruses on the album are catchier then ever before, with some songs having some of the heaviest riffs the band wrote, Marta's keyboards are fitting perfectly with the band's sound, Ryan's back up vocals are adding a great layer to the release, Brendan sounds better then ever ! and also Jona is doing a great job at fitting in.

Cons: Breakdowns used on the album contain nothing new to offer and just makes those moments on the album sound cliche, the lyrics on the album are stretched out to a monotonus level ! I mean how many times are you going to bring up your will power to fight the whole world ... after a while the world might retaliate you know.

Songs I really enjoyed: There Was A Flood, Sister Charlatan, and Death Anxiety.

I Give "Declaration" a 7/10.


Here's the video for "Death Anxiety" to get your heads banging a bit !