Release date: 3rd June 2022
Wow. What else can I say, but wow? How on earth is Bleed From Within this damn consistent, somehow able to surpass their previous releases with each new album? Put simply, Shrine is breathtaking, and showcases Bleed From Within at the (current) pinnacle of their career.
I Am Damnation begins the album with some familiarity, as the single dropped last year, and the powerfully epic introduction sets the scene perfectly, drawing the listener into the piece. It’s one of those songs that will surely remain as a staple of their live sets for years as it has all the elements of a crowd-pleasing song, from the massive guitar lines to the memorable group vocals.
Shrine continues strongly from there, with second track Sovereign a powerfully heavy number that will get your head banging and your foot tapping, and later track Killing Time is another beautifully heavy track, treating the listener to a meaty wall of sound that deserves to be blasted at top volume. Invisible Enemy is another great inclusion, with the sing-along choruses and powerfully chunky instrumentation that BFW have arguably become known for.
It’s crazy to think that Bleed From Within have somehow surpassed their previous offerings – in particular, Fracture and Era are incredible and memorable pieces in their own right. Yet somehow with each new album, BFW builds on what made the prior releases so strong and manage to improve it. Shrine is certainly their best album yet, but I already have a feeling that whatever they put out next will somehow be even more incredible. Bring on the album launch tour!