Limitless Aggression

In a time when most metalcore bands lose their edge, one band continues to bring the intensity and cement itself as a legacy act. Nine from the group Bleeding Through is less a comeback record and more a declaration of survival. Released in the wake of lineup changes and a brief hiatus, the album carries the weight of a band that has weathered the chaos of the metal scene and emerged sharpened rather than softened. The end result is an album that blends their signature metalcore ferocity with additional blackened atmospheres, orchestral flourishes, and a palpable sense of urgency.

From the opening seconds of “Gallows,” the tone is set with blistering riffs and Marta Peterson’s haunting keyboards that would have been right at home on their earlier records. Frontman Brandan Schieppati roars with conviction as the band barrels forward, delivering lines like “Now you wait to suffer and expire” and “Screaming fear until it echoes,” setting the tone for themes of personal collapse and endurance. The song wastes no time reminding listeners why Bleeding Through helped define 2000s metalcore.

Singles such as “Our Brand Is Chaos” and “Dead but So Alive” double down on that aggression. The crisp guitar work from Brandon Richter and John Arnold, in addition to the relentless drumming from Derek Youngsma, makes each track feel like a controlled explosion, sounding focused and hungry.

Longtime listeners of the genre are also treated to a variety of guest appearances throughout the album’s runtime. Features from Doc Coyle (God Forbid, Bad Wolves), Andrew Neufeld (Comeback Kid), and Brian Fair (Shadows Fall) provide an abundance of nostalgia and edge that fans will enjoy. However, the group also adds some variety by featuring longtime member Marta Peterson on vocals for tracks like “Dead but So Alive” and “Path of Our Disease.” Her vocals provide listeners with a more mellow and smooth texture beneath all the chaos.

The album’s greatest strength is found in its consistency throughout. Each track feels like a piece of a larger narrative about survival in hostile spaces—both personal and societal. Tracks such as “I Am Resistance” and “War Time” explore these themes, cutting through the distortion with honesty and conviction.

Overall, Nine is more of a statement than simply an album. It is the band reassuring listeners that they never lost their edge. The record captures the band at their most focused: vicious yet melodic, theatrical yet grounded in raw emotion. Rather than chasing trends, Bleeding Through leans fully into the sound they helped cultivate, delivering a record that feels both nostalgic and fiercely alive. Longtime fans will find it a triumphant reaffirmation, while newcomers will be introduced to a band that has spent decades turning fury and rage into something truly visceral.

By: Will Thompson @wth0mps0n