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.