About.com Rating

Bleeding Through's fifth studio album features the debut of guitarist Jona Weinhofen (I Killed The Prom Queen) after the departure of founding member Scott Danough.

Declaration also finds the metalcore stalwarts increasing the intensity. It's a well-balanced CD, with some really brutal and intense moments, and also some mellow and introspective parts.

Bleeding Through is at their best when they're playing fast and thrashy, with galloping riffs and angry lyrics.


Keyboardist Marta also does an excellent job adding depth, texture and mood to the songs.

They also show a different side with the closing track, the 8 plus minute epic "Sister Charlatan." From acoustic guitars and strings to dark, brutal riffs to the quiet atmospheric ending of rainfall and piano, it's a wide ranging and never boring song.

The weakest part of the CD is the breakdowns. Bleeding Through has shown a lot of diversity and originality, with clever orchestrations and influences of black and death metal. Lessening or even eliminating the generic breakdowns would make Declaration even stronger.

(released September 30, 2008 on Trustkill Records)