Thus far, 2023 has been an interesting year on the heavy music front. To be honest, I still have a backlog of stuff to check out, with life and work matters cutting into precious listening time. Yet, even with many releases to dig into, there has been quality stuff on the offing amidst the underwhelming, and much to anticipate in coming months as we trundle towards the midpoint of 2023. On the review front, I have had little to truly complain about, if a shortage of albums to really blow me away. However, to temper the sweaty anticipation of calendar-marking albums, one must forge ahead into the promo sump in the hope of unearthing an uncut gem from the thick, suffocating sludge. Which brings us to the third album from London’s The Bleeding, entitled Monokrator.
Unfamiliar with their first couple of albums, it doesn’t take long to become acquainted with The Bleeding’s gnarly formula. If you guessed Cannibal Corpse worship, you guessed wrong. Instead, The Bleeding channel ripping death-thrash with a mean blackened edge to consider plugging into your veins if the likes of Skeletonwitch, Necropanther, Raider, Demolition Hammer or criminally underrated Soulless float your boat. Throw in some OSDM and classic German thrash influences and you have a tasty recipe. What they lack in originality, The Bleeding compensate with a sound fueled by modern traits, killer riffs and sharp precision, yet nasty enough to appease the old school thrashers and underground aficionados with its roughed-up edges and brawling aggression. Such calculated fury is best consumed in palatable chunks, and Monokrator’s shade over half-hour runtime works to the band’s advantage, leaving little space for overcooked songs or unnecessary filler.
The Bleeding’s mode of destruction is largely built upon beastly thrash workouts jacked on speed, gritty basslines, and meaty, intricate riffs, as Jamie Stungo’s acidic, solidly rounded vocals contribute to the album’s nasty, shit-kicking edge and aggressive attack. The songwriting may overall fall short of greater heights, though frequently provides solid entertainment, with some genuinely cut above material hinting at The Bleeding’s budding potential. “Chemical Lobotomy” is a straight-up thrasher to open proceedings, kicking the listener in the guts with a sprightly and spiteful barrage of galloping rhythms, spitfire vocals and wild soloing. From here onwards The Bleeding blaze ahead with reckless abandon. “Chainsaw Deathcult” showcases the excellent, gritty bass work of Jordan Muscatello, and band’s penchant for throwing down tight death-thrash anthems with wailing solos, contrasting vocal tradeoffs, and gleefully violent mid-paced romps and seething grooves. Like the stronger material here, it also delivers catchy hooks.
While speed is prominent, The Bleeding nail the slower-to-mid-paced tempo shifts with aplomb, often supplementing their gnarled, thrashing attack with brutal, headbanging chugs, featuring some of the album’s strongest riffs and most viciously unhinged vocals, evidenced on the punishing midpoint of “Screams of Torment,” and belligerent early throes of the well-paced “On Wings of Tribulation.” Riff-stacked rumblers ‘Mutation Chamber” and “Union of Horror” are other memorable standouts, harvesting a plentiful supply of quality riffs, divebombing solos, and impactful vocal performances. The guts of the album are navy strength, but a slight dip towards the album’s end slightly compromises the final quality, though in fairness it’s never less than decent and often very good. The quality of the vocals, bass that demands attention, and wildly entertaining axework elevates some of the less remarkable tuneage, making for a deceptively memorable and addictive listen.
Although initially Monokrator didn’t leave much impression, with further listens The Bleeding’s gritty, no-frills death-thrash tools, solid riffs, and hugely energetic and deceptively dynamic sound hit the sweet spot. The Bleeding sound confident, belligerent and mightily pissed off throughout Monokrator. Sure, the production is a little stock standard, and holistically Monokrator does not quite live up the promise of its strongest cuts, however, it remains an exuberantly fun ride; a lean, tough thrasher that hits hard and pulls no punches.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 192 kbps mp3
Label: Redefining Darkness Records
Websites: thebleeding.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/TheBleedingOfficial
Releases Worldwide: June 9th, 2023
