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Watch/hear the complete interview below

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Interview with
SCOTT KENNEDY
from
BLEED FROM WITHIN

(4th April, 2025)

Interview with Dave Bruce

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In Part 1 of this interview, Dave chats with Scott, the guitarist of Bleed From Within, about the band’s 20-year journey, their evolution, the upcoming album Zenith, and balancing life on tour and at home.

Dave Bruce: Hey, it’s Dave here from Amnplify, and today I’m talking with the incredible Scott Kennedy from Bleed From Within. Look at him, he’s humble. I call him great, and he just shrugs it off. Even after 20 years on stage, he remains down-to-earth. Is that a Scottish thing? Is it necessary to stay humble in Scotland? You know, my last name’s Bruce. I grew up in a small town where you couldn’t even think about getting an eagle on your golf scorecard, or you’d get the piss taken out of you. That’s just the culture, right.
Scott Kennedy: (laughs) Yeah, totally. I think that’s the beauty of growing up in places like Scotland or Ireland. You’re raised in working-class communities where everyone just keeps each other in check. No one gets too big for their boots. You go to the pub, and if you start showing off, someone’s going to quickly put you in your place. It’s definitely something you don’t get as much in the U.S.

Dave: Absolutely, and I think it’s something that’s carried through in your band. You’ve always referred to yourselves as a working man’s band, and that authenticity shines through in your music. But looking back, how did Bleed From Within get started? Can you trace it all back to Glasgow in 2005?
Scott: Yeah, it’s a long story. (laughs) I mean, we were just a bunch of young kids who loved metal. We were listening to bands like Pantera, Metallica, Lamb of God, and Killswitch Engage. We just wanted to be like them, you know? It was that simple. We were all in high school, and then somehow, we found ourselves in a band. And now, 20 years later, here we are. It’s a bit mad when you think about it.

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Dave: It’s incredible how many of those bands are still going strong. You’ve been through so much, toured with legends, and made it through, which is no small feat. When you think about your sound, it’s been described in a lot of different ways—metalcore, melodic death metal, deathcore. But how would you describe it?
Scott: To be honest, we’ve always just considered ourselves a metal band. The whole metalcore label—yeah, I get it, it’s a generational thing. We were young guys who liked metal and threw in some melody, and people started calling it metalcore. But really, it’s just metal. You know, when I was growing up listening to bands like Lamb of God, they weren’t classified, they were just metal. And that’s all we’ve ever aimed to be.

Dave: What I find remarkable is that the core group has stuck together for 20 years. You’ve had some changes over the years, but overall, it’s been the same core members. And that’s rare in the music industry. How has that contributed to your sound over the years? Has it evolved or remained consistent?
Scott: It’s definitely evolved. But honestly, I think we’ve just gotten better at what we do. When we started, we were just kids—young and naive. We didn’t have any grand ambitions; we just wanted to play music and be in a band. Now, it feels like a massive part of my life. I need this band in my life now, whereas back then it was just something cool to do. But it hasn’t been hard—it’s been the only thing I’ve known. 20 years just flew by, you know?

Dave: That’s amazing. And over those 20 years, you’ve played alongside some iconic bands. You even had the chance to tour with Megadeth back in 2013. What’s it like to go from being a kid starting out in Glasgow to touring with such legendary acts?
Scott: It’s surreal, honestly. When we first got the chance to tour with bands like that, I was like, “This is insane.” But now, it’s different. I look at it from a perspective where I’m not just thinking about how cool it is to be on stage with these legends—I’m thinking about how to grow the band and secure a better future for my family. It’s a shift in mindset, you know? I’m a father now, and that changes everything.

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Dave: I completely get that. It’s like a natural evolution—not just as a band but as a person. And speaking of that, you’ve got a new addition to the family, right?
Scott: Yeah, I’ve got a six-week-old at home. (laughs) So, I’m definitely balancing the whole new dad life with everything else. But I’m lucky. My bandmates and I have always had each other’s backs. We’ve known each other since we were kids. We’ve always been best friends first. That’s been the secret to staying together for so long.

Dave: That’s incredible. It’s not every band that can say they’ve stuck together that long, especially with all the challenges of touring and personal lives. Now, let’s talk about the new album, Zenith. It’s coming out soon—April 4th, to be exact. What can you tell us about it?
Scott: You know, Bleed From Within has never really been about big, elaborate concept albums. It’s always been about where we are in life at that moment. Zenith is no different. It’s about reflecting on where we’ve come from—our losses, our wins, and everything that’s led us to this point. I genuinely believe it’s the strongest record we’ve ever written. It’s our truest sound.

Dave: And the album was a long time coming, right? I’ve read it took about three years to make.
Scott: Yeah, it was a long process. We started writing in 2022, and it took about a year and a half to finish writing it. Recording took another year. We’ve all got busy lives, and it’s about making sure we get it right. But I truly believe it’s worth the wait. And what’s interesting is that we initially called the album Zero, but we had to change it because Linkin Park dropped an album with the same name. (laughs)

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Dave: I was going to ask about that! Why Zero?
Scott: We chose Zero because we felt it was a fresh start, going back to our roots, forgetting everything that came before, and just focusing on making music for the love of it. But when Linkin Park dropped From Zero, we knew we had to change it. But honestly, I’m glad we did. Zenith feels more fitting. It represents where we are now and the potential for what’s to come.

Dave: I think Zenith is the perfect title. It’s about reaching the peak, but also knowing there’s more to come.
Scott: Exactly. Zenith represents our best work to date, but it’s just the beginning. We still have so much more to offer.

Dave: That’s an exciting thought. And what’s next for the band? Any big tours or events coming up?
Scott: Yeah, we’re heading to the U.S. in three weeks for a tour with Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium. It’s going to be a huge challenge for me, especially with being a new father, but I’m looking forward to it. It’s a chance to introduce our music to new fans and grow our audience.

Dave: It’s going to be a tough but rewarding time, especially balancing family and touring. But with your band’s mentality of looking after each other, I’m sure it’ll work out.
Scott: Yeah, it always does. We’ve got each other’s backs, and that’s what’s kept us going for all these years.

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In part two of our exclusive interview with Scott Kennedy, guitarist for the legendary heavy metal band Bleed From Within, we dive deeper into what keeps him grounded amidst the band’s rapid success and the challenges of being in the music industry. We talk about the importance of staying authentic, the thrill of performing live, and how he remains connected to the music and his roots despite the pressures of fame.

All That Success: What Advice Would You Give to an Artist Starting Out?

When asked for advice for up-and-coming artists, Scott doesn’t hold back. “God, I don’t feel like I’m in the position to give anyone advice,” he laughs, “but I would say just be yourself. Be authentic. There’s no other way to be, man. You’re not going to have a long career if you’re faking it. No. And you won’t enjoy it if you’re faking it either. You might do for a short period of time, but that won’t last.”
He also emphasizes the importance of kindness and humility. “Be good to yourself and be nice to people. I’ve witnessed a lot in the music industry – people get a lot of success and they just change. They forget where they came from. But staying grounded is key.”
Scott also has some thoughts on the often overwhelming role social media plays in modern music. “Work hard. Play all the time. That’s where you get your audience from—playing. Forget about all the social media nonsense. It’s an accessory. Use it, but don’t make it the focus of your career.”

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The Best Part of Performing Live

When it comes to performing live, Scott gets nostalgic about the pure thrill of the stage. “Probably just forgetting where you are, you know? Letting go of everything in your life. It’s the one thing in my life where I don’t think about anything. The moment I step on stage, everything else disappears. I don’t even think about anything—I just enjoy it.”
He describes the experience almost like a spiritual connection. “And then, when I come off stage, I’m like, ‘What just happened?’ It’s such an amazing moment. You get lost in it, and that’s when the magic happens.”

Career Highlights: Touring with Slipknot

For Scott, the career highlight that stands out is the incredible opportunity to tour with one of his all-time favorite bands—Slipknot. “Touring with Slipknot, man. We played in the biggest arena in Glasgow, our hometown, and my father got to see me do that. Having my father and my wife there to experience it with me—that’s my career highlight.”
There’s something particularly special about being able to share those moments with the people you love, and Scott’s deep appreciation for family shines through when he talks about this experience.

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Rapid-Fire Questions: A Glimpse into Scott Kennedy’s Personality

Before we wrapped up the interview, we hit Scott with some rapid-fire questions to get a deeper understanding of who he really is. Here are a few highlights:

Craziest thing you’ve ever done?
“Had a child. No, that’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Touring with Slipknot? That’s crazy, too!”

Favorite album?
“Morning View by Incubus. It’s always been a classic for me.”

Favorite movie?
“Terminator 2: Judgment Day – classic Arnold Schwarzenegger, man!”

Favorite place to visit?
“I’ve never been to Australia, but it’s definitely on my list. I’ve heard the fans there are wild.”

Favorite drink?
“Beer, man. I’m an IPA guy.”

The Story Behind the Band’s Name: Bleed From Within

When it comes to the origin of the band’s name, Scott admits that it wasn’t some grand story. “It was honestly just us, really young, trying to come up with the most metal name we could think of. And well, we landed on Bleed From Within. It wasn’t as dramatic as people might think, but it’s stuck.”
And it definitely has. Over the years, Bleed From Within has carved a distinct identity in the metal scene with their unique sound and relentless passion.

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A Final Word on Family, Resilience, and Gratitude

Before we ended the interview, Scott took a moment to reflect on the influence of his father in shaping who he is today. “My father is definitely my hero. He’s just an amazing man. He raised us on his own after my mother passed away when I was young. He’s always put others first, and he taught me how to be resilient. That’s a big part of who I am today.”
Scott’s life has been shaped by hardship, resilience, and the unwavering love of his family. It’s evident that his journey is far more than just about the music—it’s about honoring the people and the lessons that have shaped him into the grounded individual he is today.

Closing Thoughts

It’s clear that Scott Kennedy is a musician who values authenticity, resilience, and the power of connection. Despite the challenges and successes of his career, he remains deeply rooted in his love for music and the people who have supported him along the way. As Bleed From Within continues to rise in the ranks of metal, we can only imagine what’s next for Scott and the band. Stay tuned, and don’t miss the upcoming album—it’s bound to be a game-changer.

Thanks to Scott Kennedy for sharing his insights and journey with us. We can’t wait to see where his music and resilience take him next.

For more on Bleed From Within and to stay up to date on the latest music, check out Zenith, out now, and follow the band on their upcoming tour dates.

Visit: www.bleedfromwithin.com

Be sure to check out more interviews and updates at Amnplify.

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Watch/hear the complete interview below

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AMNPLIFY – DB