Review: Still Remains – Ceasing to Breathe
Artist: Still Remains
Album: Ceasing to Breathe
Rating: 10/10
Still Remains fans have been chomping at the bit for the release of their new album since the end of their Kickstarter campaign. Well, the day is finally upon us. Earlier this morning, digital downloads were finally made available to those who pledged for them, as well as for purchase in their new webstore which I will link below. Prior to the album being released, we were given 2 tracks from the album for free download: “Closer to the Grave” and “Crone”. While “Closer to the Grave” is, arguably, one of the heaviest tracks they’ve ever released, “Crone” fades back a little to their “The Serpent” days, mixing melody and aggression in a way that only they can.
The album opens up with the crushing track, “Bare Your Teeth (ft. Dan Weyandt of Zao)” and, right then, you know that you’re in for one hell of a ride. When Dan’s part comes in, those all-too-familiar screams put a leash around your neck and pull you in closer. The album, as a whole, is a great mix between “Of Love & Lunacy”, “The Serpent” and the new flavor they unleashed with the singles “Checkmate” and “Reading Lips”. Vocalist TJ Miller showcases some of both his best screams and clean vocals that he’s let loose with any of the material he’s released with Still Remains. “Ceasing to Breathe” will leave you breathless and wanting another taste, before you know it, you’ll have listened to it over and over and over again. The greatest thing about this album is that, the more you listen to it, the more you notice the new elements, the more that it speaks to you and it makes you enjoy it that much more.
The lyrical content is definitely far above anything they’ve thrown at us in the past and contains some of the most memorable lyrics that fans will find themselves relating to once they learn them. Have you ever sat and listened to a song, really been pulled in by it and not necessarily known exactly why? Well, this is one of those albums. The album remains the heaviest lyrically and musically, while managing to adhere to the hearts of fans worldwide with it’s melodic and harmonic nature. In short, we have a late contender for album of the year for 2013. There is something for everyone on this album. Whether you like breakdowns, melody, harmony or gritty guitar parts that you can practice your air guitar with, it’s all here. Songs like “Crone”, “Keeping Secrets” and “F.F.I” showcase the more melodic side of the band, while destroying your ears with the heavy shit we’ve all come to love from them. While, “Ceasing to Breathe”, “Closer to the Grave” and “Bare Your Teeth” come at you relentlessly and won’t let up until they’re done!
Overall, this is one of the best albums I’ve ever witnessed from Still Remains. It just goes to show you that a band can disappear and come back stronger than ever. Case in point: Black Sabbath. 30 Years without a new studio album and they hit #1 with “13” in the first week of sales! So, when you get discouraged about a band breaking up, remember… fan response could make all the difference. Still Remains came back and made this album solely on the fact that fans wanted to hear one more album! Will they disappear for good this time? Let’s hope not but, even if they do, “Ceasing to Breathe” is definitely a great way to go out! Go pick your copy up and discover why you fell in love with them in the first place!
