Melodic Death Metal was these Italians’ motto in early 2001 – the Swedish way. Baptised thereafter as THIS ILLUSION, this also set the stage for the entrance of Matteo (third guitarist) and a touch of progressiveness to the band’s music.
By April 2002, the band hit the studio (No Brain Studios, Mirano, Venice) and recorded the first self-produced MCD Of Promises Decayed. Despite the good reviews, the line-up was bound to change – as was the band’s name: since signing to Voice of Life Records meant having to change the name to BLEED IN VAIN (given the fact that there was a band called DISILLUSION in the label’s catalogue). Now 2004 brought forth a recording deal with German Cartel Media, and so there is One Day Left for the posting of the review.
I have grown accustomed to looking upon (some) Italian bands as examples of good musicianship, song-writing/ playing skills and the likes of. Of late, some of the jewels that have met The Grave include DEFORGE, PERFIDY BIBLICAL and a couple of others. BLEED IN VAIN seem to belong in this elite. The band’s sonority is heavily inspired by the Swedish melodic scene, notably SOILWORK (mostly on clean vocals and rhythms), ARCH ENEMY, some MESHUGGAH and even DISSECTION or AT THE GATES (although I would not point this as a heavy reference) – to the point where I could not quite place BIV as an Italian band.
You will thus be able to find a copious amount of melody in One Day Left (a bitter crying for one last day?…) in a more general context of elaborate rhythms. The production is clear and powerful, making the music even closer to SOILWORK (A Predator’s Portrait-era). The album has been brought forth by Enrico Longhin (all vocals), Matteo Rosin (lead guitar), Davide Carraro (lead guitar), Enrico Pajaro (rhythm guitar), Massimo Cocchetto (bass) and Giacomo Secco (drums).
Despite not being incredibly innovative or ground-breaking, One Day Left is strongly recommended to all fans of the more melodic (yet technical) sort of Death Metal.
Myspace Bleedinvain
Cover Bleed in Vain – One Day Left Front
Bleed In Vain – Crushing Level