Zenith
Zenith gives Bleed From Within’s heavy sound a broader setting. The Glasgow band keep the forceful riffs, sharp rhythms and melodic choruses at the centre of their seventh album, while adding strings, electronic details and a few less expected sounds. The result is confident modern metal that expands its reach without losing the weight of the core band.
“Violent Nature” starts firmly in familiar territory, moving from an aggressive opening into a tight double-kick groove. Scott Kennedy’s harsh vocals and the guitars provide plenty of impact, while choral touches make the transitions feel larger. “In Place of Your Halo” then adds one of the record’s most distinctive details: bagpipes placed around a heavy breakdown. It works because the extra instrument supports the song’s atmosphere rather than replacing its rhythm.
The title track finds more space for melody and string textures alongside its heavier passages. “God Complex” takes a more direct approach, with a steady stomp and group vocals built for a large chorus. These tracks show two useful sides of the album. One develops the arrangements with extra colour, while the other keeps the writing clear and immediate.
The guest appearances fit that approach well. Brann Dailor adds a different vocal tone to the chorus of “Immortal Desire”, and Josh Middleton appears on the harder-edged “Hands of Sin”. They provide contrast, but the songs still belong to the band. Elsewhere, “Known by No Name” moves from an electronic opening towards a broad choral chorus, extending the album’s interest in mixing heavy playing with larger textures.
Not every part represents a new direction. Some riffs and song shapes will be familiar to listeners who already know this style, and the constant drive can make the quieter details easy to miss. The closing “Edge of Infinity” provides a welcome change, opening more gently before reaching a much bigger finish.
Zenith succeeds through strong arrangements and well-placed additions. It has the direct impact expected from melodic metalcore, but enough variation to make the whole record worth following. The best songs show how a band can develop an established sound through careful choices rather than a complete change of identity.
