By Anayo Eltringham Onuora
Based in Dallas, Texas, Bleed’s self-titled debut borders eagerly on the edge of nostalgia. From the record label, 20 Buck Spin, Bleed is a grand attempt at a modern alt-art revival, and not to mention, its striking cover reeks shamelessly with a grungy visual aesthetic. From punching drum grooves to moody guitar riffs, the band capture a particular 90s metal familiarity while sticking fervently to their gauzy soundscape.
‘Climbing Down’, a manic first impression at Bleed’s establishment into the shoegaze, alt-rock scene, opens the album. A crackling of vinyl static hisses gently, before a pounding guitar riff drenched heavily in distortion cuts through the track’s tender opening. Grating turntable scratches add a playful, experimental tone to the track’s composition, demonstrating exactly what Bleed do best: create chunky, rippling grooves coated in a weighty, retro polish. Singer/guitarist Ryan Hughes comes in with airy, earnest vocals, capturing the angsty, passionate feel of 90s grunge that gushes with a glistening, metallic sheen.
‘Through The Cylinder’ is arguably Bleed’s magnum opus. It is Bleed at their most experimental, as they open the track with a racing jungle drum beat and a looping guitar riff. The track’s transition from trancey percussion to nostalgic nü grooves is harrowingly addictive. Bleed maintain this energy as the track progresses, before returning to familiar subdued melodies and raving jungle beats. However, this moment of stillness is soon interrupted by a Deftones-esque, headbanging breakdown and a frenzy of hard vocals.
Heavier licks and vocals are interwoven throughout the album, finding their place amongst cascading riffs and gentler arrangements. ‘Enjoy Your Stay’ has the album’s only feature appearance, as hardcore band Static Dress solidify themselves as the stocky, distortion-centric slab that alter Bleed’s original soundscape. Reminiscent of sounds from Linkin Park, Failure, and TRUSTcompany, ‘Enjoy Your Stay’ plays with varying time signatures and breakdowns, as Hughes and Static Dress’ frontman, Olli Appleyard, exchange delay-ridden vocals. Appleyard’s feature is stolen almost directly from a Static Dress track, spewing with hardcore death growls and overdrive. Yet the change in dynamic slots into the piece, uncomfortably for sure, but somehow fitting perfectly into the musical madness of the track.
Bleed are masters of creating memorable and captivating melodies, which coalesce into shifting, solid breakdowns. ‘Shallow’ immerses listeners into a hypnotic, dream-like trance. Floating vocals and gentle hand drumming beats are carefully curated into a 2000’s psychedelic reverie. The track’s subdued nature adds to Bleed’s atmospheric musical landscape, an attractive counterpoint to the band’s usual taste for grit.
‘Take It Out’ closes the album, as Bleed revisit the classic metal sound from the album’s opener. Emotive lyrics are combined with overdriven melodies as the track dabbles in the harsh dynamics of metal and the spacey arrangements of shoegaze. ‘Take It Out’ threads tranquil hooks with richly heavy textures, remaining true to Bleed’s signature blueprint.
Though potentially whiny at times and lacking particularly in variation and style, Hughes’ vocals add to Bleed’s transcendent, retro feel. Yet, Bleed’s vocal formula becomes somewhat repetitive; tracks begin to merge into one, and lack definition. Regardless, the band are close to perfection in their execution, shaping tracks with addictive riffs and memorable licks. Bleed flirt with hardcore and nü metal, yet it is their shoegazing sound that overpowers and rings true, shining brightly amongst Bleed’s cavern of dark, metallic distortion.
Amongst their heavy ambience and melodic intimacy, Bleed have somehow curated their own musical language for this debut.
Stream and purchase Bleed on 20 Buck Spin: https://20buckspin.bandcamp.com/album/bleed
