Review Summary: A metalcore album that has moments of melody and progression. Near perfection.
This album for a debut is quite simply mindblowing. Even on first listen 'Forgiven' draws you in with the drummer pounding the floor tom before the screaming of 'Oh God' takes stage. With the breakdown continuing before the riff begins it is easy to see what 'These Are My Sins' will be like; brutal. Now their riffs aren't groundbreaking but they are very tasty with melodic and progressive riffs in equal measure you're kept on your toes. The introduction to 'Longevity' is so simple yet so beautiful before the breakdown adds a layer of perfection to the art.
Metalcore is known for breakdowns and this band will not be known for anything different, but I guess that is a good thing, because these breakdowns have great backbone and brutality to them. I, The Breather use them often, but to great affect.
Vocally, this album is strong, but don't expect anything groundbreaking. Shawn Spann's range is impressive but not extreme but that suits I, The Breather's sound well. His vocals are perfect in moments such as 2.38 onwards on 'Longevity' which has a sublime ending with the melodic guitar adding character to the piece. Also at 1.27 on 'Crown Me King' when Shawn shouts 'Move!', despite the lack of originality it still really does get the blood pumping for all the right reasons.
On this 11 track album there is a very nice usage of an instrumental track in 'Empathy' which is the shortest track clocking in at 2.52. Like on 'Longevity' a melodic riff soothes you in before a gentle drum machine is used. Then a magnigect orchestra of layered riffs awaken you again before delving back into tranquil surroundings. The riff is basically the same throughtout the song which gently fades out near the end with natural harmonics.
The guitarwork is simple riffage but beautifully done but it has its standout moments with a whammy early on on 'Crown Me King' - 0.34. Later on a mindblowing breakdown and too finish a cheeky little solo. It has all a metalcore song should have.
To finish we have a song clocking in at 6.03 which is what a lot of metalcore bands seem to be doing now, having a 6 minute+ song to finish but again, I, The Breather do it well with the song being everything I, The Breather are before the end of the song being a gentle fade out.
The album is overall I very positive outlook on the future of I, The Breather and the future can only get better for such a promising band. Some tracks sounding similar and therefore finding it hard to differentiate tracks from each other. But that left aside it is quite a superb debut attempt.
Top 3 tracks: Fogiven, Longevity and Crown Me King.
