SEFOTEU\\ It's Official: BLEEDING THROUGH To Disband

It's official: California metallers BLEEDING THROUGH are calling it a day. Prior to going their separate ways, they will embark on one final tour spanning North America, Europe and Australia.

The Orange County band began 14 years ago, embarking on countless international tours, inspiring multiple logo/lyric tattoos on rabid supporters, releasing no less than seven studio albums and two DVDs and changing the face of heavy music alongside the rest of the NWOAHM (New Wave Of American Heavy Metal).

BLEEDING THROUGH participated in two Ozzfests, Vans Warped Tour, MTV2's Headbanger's Ball Tour, Australia's Soundwave festival, Europe's Never Say Die! and more. They've supported bands like SLAYER, MARILYN MANSON, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, AFI, HIM and MACHINE HEAD. Over the years, they headlined the Strhess Tour and other package tours. Their U.S. headlining trek in support of "The Truth" featured support from EVERY TIME I DIE, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and HASTE THE DAY and sold out two nights back to back at the Anaheim House Of Blues.

BLEEDING THROUGH has been featured on the cover of magazines like Outburn and Metal Edge. Alternative Press included their albums in "Most Anticipated" lists and Revolver twice featured keyboardist Marta Peterson on the cover of their "Hottest Chicks in Metal" issues.

The band's breakthrough album, "This is Love, This is Murderous", sold close to 150,000 copies in the U.S. alone. The follow-up CD, "The Truth", sold over 17,000 copies in its first week of releae in January 2006. They worked with producers Ulrich Wild (STATIC-X), Rob Caggiano (ANTHRAX), Devin Townsend (MISERY SIGNALS, GWAR, LAMB OF GOD) and Chris "Zeuss" Harris (MUNICIPAL WASTE) over the years.

BLEEDING THROUGH began as a side-project for then-EIGHTEEN VISIONS guitarist Brandan Schieppati, whose lyrics and persona remained the consistent voice through the band's evolving lineup. "Dust To Ashes" was issued by Prime Directive in 2001. Brian Leppke (guitar) and Derek Youngsma (drums) joined for the following year's "Portrait Of The Goddess" on Indecision. Ryan Wombacher (bass) and Peterson had come onboard by the time "This Is Love..." was issued in 2003. Lead guitarist Scott Danough was the last founding member (aside from Schieppati) to part ways with the band sometime after the release of "The Truth". Dave Nassie (ex-NO USE FOR A NAME) contributed a guest solo to 2008's "Declaration" and was an official member by the time the band released their 2010 self-titled album on Rise Records. Last year, Rise released "The Great Fire".

"This is Love..." and "The Truth" were released internationally through Roadrunner. "Declaration" was issued overseas by Nuclear Blast. In North America, those albums were handled by Trustkill. BLEEDING THROUGH's struggles with Trustkill Records became public in 2008. Trustkill eventually filed for bankruptcy, reportedly owing significant sums to BLEEDING THROUGH, THROWDOWN and other bands.

Through it all, BLEEDING THROUGH always relied on their fans, who often shared stories with how much their music had helped them, in turn.

In an exclusive statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Schieppati had this to say regarding the band's decision to wrap things up with BLEEDING THROUGH with final tours in 2013:

"When you have some success doing something that you love, you never really think about writing a statement about that something coming to an end. Well, that dream that we have had as BLEEDING THROUGH has come to an end.

"I think I can speak for the rest of my bandmates in saying that we always hoped it would end on our terms, and it has.

"We have been fortunate to have a strong fan base worldwide and have brought joy to many and pissed off many more.

"BLEEDING THROUGH was always a band that wore the emotion of the music on our sleeves. We cared about everyone like family that ever took the time to listen to our band, support our merchandise and go to our shows.

"Since 1999, we have been blessed to be able to tour the world, record seven records with some great musical minds, tour with amazing bands and people, work with people with character such as management, booking agents and road crew. Most importantly, we made lasting friends from this journey.

"We have been honored to be part of a expanding the musical movement of heavy music and hope to be remembered as a benchmark and pioneer of a specific style of music.

"We have been a band since 1999, and many of us just had life catch up with us in the way of marriages, kids, businesses and other endeavors. We can no longer dedicate what we need to to keep BLEEDING THROUGH going.

"Personally, I feel doing this band in a part-time fashion is not what this band is about and and feel like we have always been an all-or-nothing band. With that being said, and because we have established a worldwide following over the last 14 years, we want to give us and those people one more chance to share in this music together. We are setting up farewell tours. Dates will be up and promoted very soon.

"To those who supported this band: It has been an honor."

The other members of BLEEDING THROUGH will issue personal letters via social-networking sites as well, so stay tuned.

CIRCLE PIT \\ I AM WAR: 'Uninvite Me To Your Facebook Party' Video Released

"Uninvite Me To Your Facebook Party", the first video from I AM WAR, the Orange County, California-based act featuring Alex Varkatzas (vocals; ATREYU) and Brandan Schieppati (guitar, vocals; BLEEDING THROUGH), can be seen below. The clip was filmed with director Dillon Novak (WE SHOT THE MOON).

Commented Varkatzas, "'Uninvite Me To Your Facebook Party' is a super-fast, tongue-in-cheek number about how ridiculous social media can be when people become too obsessed and attached to it. The video itself was a blast to record. Lots of high-energy footage of I AM WAR tearing it up and sweating bullets in the process. The perfect recipe for a killer video!"

"Uninvite Me To Your Facebook Party" comes off I AM WAR's debut album, "Outlive You All", which sold 1,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 26 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Outlive You All" was released on August 28 via Razor & Tie. The CD was produced by Mick Kenney (ANAAL NATHRAKH).

I AM WAR was born from a pure place for Varkatzas. While in the midst of a 2011 tour with ATREYU, he sat on the bus contemplating writing music that fully embraced his hardcore roots. Simply put, it had to be brief, blunt, and brutal.

"I wanted to do something pissed-off that had no constraints or expectations," reveals Varkatzas. "I didn't want to sing. I wanted to emote by screaming. That's natural for me. I also knew I had to work with the most aggressive dude I could find. Brandan was the first person who came to mind. We grew up together, and I've seen him play a million times in various bands. I sent him an e-mail and let the idea stew. As soon as I got off tour, we tried everything out, and it worked."

Schieppati concurs, "Everything instantly clicked. I was stoked when Alex got in touch. We wanted to keep it fast with very little 'shredding'. It hearkens back to the good ole days of angry music."

With Schieppati handling guitars, bass, and backing vocals and Varkatzas on the brunt of the screaming, I AM WAR entered an Orange County studio with Mick Kenney behind the board. In between both of their day jobs as personal trainers (both owning their fitness facilities as well), these two men channeled an unbridled energy onto tape. They emerged from the sessions with 15 songs that engage a raw sonic beatdown.

"It was really organic and natural," the guitarist says of the creative process. "We didn't overthink anything, and it was fun. Whatever came out of us went right to tape."

Debuted online, the visceral hardcore anthem "The Poisoning" gave the world its first taste of I AM WAR. Roaring with thrash intensity and incisive gang vocals, it embodies a classic ethos with a modern vitriol.

"I have a soft spot in my heart for that song," smiles the vocalist. "It's the first song Brandan and I wrote together. So many people are insincere and get drawn into drama over and over again. Human beings have an addiction to it, and I began seeing that in a lot of people around me — including myself. That really bummed me out. At the most base level, it's about letting drama into your life, acting as if you don't like it but secretly creating it like an addict. You feed off of it, and it poisons you at the same time."

Then, there's "Bat Out Of Hell" which ups the ante with a vicious stomp. Dropping as a limited-edition vinyl single June 26, it's one minute and sixteen seconds of double-bass violence.

Varkatzas goes on, "Life can be a whirlwind of emotions. It's about letting those rip out of you in a positive way. For me, I'll work out or run. It's different for everyone. That outlet makes you feel like a force to be reckoned with."

Speaking of a force to be reckoned with, "Plug Me In" directly references the feeling the singer experienced seeing his favorite bands back in the day. At the same time, "Uninvite Me To Your Facebook Pity Party" raises a middle finger to whiners online and off-line with acidic screams.

In many ways, the title proves all-encompassing. "It comes from being older now," reveals Schieppati. "For years, critics looked at bands like ATREYU and BLEEDING THROUGH as flash-in-the-pan-type bands that will have a moment and then disappear. However, both of our bands have been around for over a decade and spearheaded a whole genre. We're still here, involved, and making music."

At the end of the day, catharsis is the most important thing for I AM WAR. "Brandan and I aren't doing this to become rich assholes and travel the world," affirms Varkatzas. "We wanted to make an awesome record and release it. There's no pressure to produce a hit or conquer the charts. The only pressure is not to look like complete jackasses. That's liberating. I just hope it's an intense and enjoyable experience for listeners. It's about setting fire to everything and seeing what happens."

"Outlive You All" track listing:

01. Don't Worship Assholes
02. Uninvite Me To Your Facebook Party
03. The Poisoning
04. Plug Me In
05. Bat Out Of Hell
06. Hunting Me
07. Chipped Shoulders And Heart Attacks
08. Don't Know Anything
09. A Nightmare
10. Led By Liars
11. My Love Affair With Disaster
12. Nihilistic Motivation
13. Feel The Same

CIRCLE PIT \\ BLEEDING THROUGH: New Song Available For Streaming

"Goodbye To Death", a brand new song from Orange County, California's BLEEDING THROUGH, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "The Great Fire", which will be released on January 31 via Rise Records.

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. March
02. Faith In Fire
03. Goodbye To Death
04. Final Hours
05. Starving Vultures
06. Everything You Love Is Gone
07. Walking Dead
08. Devil And Self Doubt
09. Step Back In Line
10. Trail Of Seclusion
11. Deaf Ears
12. One By One
13. Entrenched
14. Back To Life

Check out the cover artwork below.

BLEEDING THROUGH's latest self-titled CD sold around 3,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on The Billboard 200 chart.

BLEEDING THROUGH's previous effort, "Declaration" (2008), opened with 6,000 units to land at No. 101.

Momento Caras \\ MACHINE HEAD Guitarist Engaged To BLEEDING THROUGH Keyboardist

MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel revealed via his Facebook page that he is engaged to BLEEDING THROUGH keyboardist Marta Peterson.

Demmel and Peterson started dating when their bands toured together in Australia and Japan in early 2010.

In an October 2011 interview with Hardrock Haven, Demmel stated about MACHINE HEAD's Australian tour with BLEEDING THROUGH, "I met the girl of my dreams in Australia the last time we were down there. One of the greatest things that has ever happened to me was on that run. I have very special memories of Australia and knowing that I was in love for the first time when I was in Brisbane."

Phil has a five-year-old son, Jadon Philip Demmel, with "rock model" Jamie Jagger.

Demmel began touring with MACHINE HEAD in 2002 but didn't officially join the band until 2004, shortly before the recording of the group's "Through The Ashes Of Empires" album.

Phil was a founding member of the late 1980s San Francisco Bay Area thrash band VIO-LENCE, which also included MACHINE HEAD guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn.

CIRCLE PIT \\ THROWDOWN Taps BLEEDING THROUGH, DEMON HUNTER Members For 'Brawloween' Tour

California's THROWDOWN will headline the first annual "Brawloween", a brand new tour event which will stretch across the West Coast with support from CARNIFEX, FIRST BLOOD and SUFFOKATE.

THROWDOWN will mark its first live appearances in nearly two years by presenting a fan-favorite filled set list consisting of material from classic albums like "Haymaker" (2003) and "Vendetta" (2005) alongside select tracks from "Venom & Tears" (2007) and their eOne music debut, "Deathless" (2009).

The band has confirmed a touring lineup which is comprised of both familiar faces as well as some guests:

* Dave Peters (THROWDOWN; 2000 - present) - Vocals
* Mark Mitchell (THROWDOWN; 2007 - present) - Bass
* Dave Nassie (BLEEDING THROUGH, ex-NO USE FOR A NAME) - Guitar
* Tim "Yogi" Watts (DEMON HUNTER, ex-THE SHOWDOWN) - Drums

"I can't say I love having a chronically fragmented lineup for THROWDOWN, but it does leave the door open for cool opportunities like this," said Peters.

"I'm VERY happy to be playing these shows with Yogi and Nassie as 'special guests,' or whatever you want to call them under the circumstances. They're great guys and equally great musicians. It will be a cool thing for fans of the three bands too, as it's hard to say if or when we'd share a stage in the future. The only drawback is running the risk of them setting the sound bar too high for the next time we play in our backyard."

Traduza\\ BLEEDING THROUGH To Play Special 'Earlier-Years' Set At California Shows

Orange County, California's BLEEDING THROUGH will play two very special shows in Southern California next month — at Chain Reaction in Anaheim on January 21 and at Soma in San Diego on January 22. Both concerts will also feature OCEANO, FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS, UPON A BURNING BODY, THE GREAT COMMISSION and I THE BREATHER. BLEEDING THROUGH says, "We are going to play an earlier-years set from our releases from 2000-2005."

BLEEDING THROUGH's latest self-titled album sold around 3,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 143 on The Billboard 200 chart.

BLEEDING THROUGH's previous CD, "Declaration" (2008), opened with 6,000 units to land at No. 101.

Released on April 13 via the Portland, Oregon-based independent record label Rise Records, "Bleeding Through" was recorded at Planet Z Studios in Hadley, Massachusetts with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with MUNICIPAL WASTE, AGNOSTIC FRONT and HATEBREED, among others.