Dating back to 1999, Bleeding Through have grown to become one of the most known bands in the metalcore genre with their expressive and signature sound propelling them to its forefront.
While other bands may have overtaken Bleeding Through in the long run, their influence runs clearly through many bands to this day. Now it’s 2025, and it’s their second album back from their four-year split. Have they toned down? Have they become more melodic and nonchalant? Heavens no. In fact, if it’s even possible, they’ve become angrier. Nine is – surprise, surprise – the ninth album from Bleeding Through, and it doesn’t even give you a chance to take in the small intro at the beginning of opening track ‘Gallows’. Driven by furious dual guitars from John Arnold & Brandon Richter as drummer Derek Youngsma takes charge with his blistering double kick assault behind the fiery vocals of frontman Brandon Schieppati. As the introduction to the album, you’re shown their true colours, as they have nothing to hide from you.
One thing Bleeding Through have excelled at on Nine is the theatrical elements. Through the course of Nine not only are you taken on an endless barrage of unpurified adrenaline, you’re also transported to another plane of existence. Behind the metalcore madness is a beautifully composed elemental beauty that’s elevated on ‘Emery’. Being the slowest song on the album, it breaks through the barrier, but in no means is it any less of a Bleeding Through song.
It’s still as aggressive as ‘Dead, But So Alive’ which sees Schieppati’s diabolical growls switch to clean at the drop of a pin which is book-ended by a surprise guitar solo that rounds the song neatly. And what’s a metalcore record without a helping hand from friends? There are guest vocal appearances from Comeback Kid’s Andrew Neufeld on synth led anthem ‘I Am Resistance’ adding a gritty layer to the song. ‘War Time’ features Brian Fair of Shadows Fall with a memorable stint on the already ferocious album. And ‘Lost In Isolation’ welcomes Doc Coyle of God Forbid. And while it’s not a terrible song by any stretch of the imagination, it’s the weakest song on the album. But you’ve still got 10 others worth their weight in gold. So throw a dart and enjoy.
When a band has reached the level and duration of Bleeding Through you’d be met with a certain amount of fear that they’d have started to slow themselves down and coast the rest of their career in the slow lane. But Nine has proved that Bleeding Through have aged like a fine wine, and each time they commit music to the world, they’re going to give more and more aggression until they drop. But until then, the kings of metalcore are once again at the top of the food chain.