Still Remains - 'Spirit Breaker' EP Review

Tracklist:

1. The Wound and the Weapon (ft. Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord)

2. Spirit Breaker

3. Erase You

4. Eclipse

5. Waste of Breath

Hot on the heels of last year’s 20^th anniversary tour for debut album, “Of Love & Lunacy” Michigan’s Still Remains return with their first^. new release in 12 years. This time around, Still Remains have decided to go down the EP route and it’s a really smart choice on their part.  

If you’re a Still Remains fan you know what you’re likely to get and the first sounds do not disappoint on 'The Word & The Weapon', courtesy of the lush keyboard tones of Zach Roth. There’s a good solid build up with Jordan Whelan and Mike Church adding their guitars whilst vocalist TJ Miller sets the tone. Before we reach the 30 second mark, Still Remains let it all go held down by AJ Barrette and Kenny Polidan (on Drums & Bass). This is a frantic start to the EP and it doesn’t take long before we get one of numerous things that set Still Remains apart from other groups, the distinctive dual vocals of TJ and Mike – these two create something that always elevates the song.

Speaking of things that set Still Remains apart, whilst the band are locked into a groove that’s incredibly tight, Zach Roth pops up with some really interesting keyboard melodies that sounds really fresh. We’re not even halfway through the opening track on this EP and already this is one hell of a statement of intent. If you think this is how it’s going to be for the rest of the song, then you are very much mistaken as somehow Still Remains manage to take the heaviness up another notch with the added vocals courtesy of Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord. The song then takes a turn and eases off and Mike Church takes the lead vocals before the rest of the guys build the song back up again to its explosive conclusion.  

'Spirit Breaker': What’s becoming clear, very quickly is this is a new updated Still Remains, everything sounds crisper, the riffs cut like razorblades and the production is huge, it’s like night and day compared to their previous album, 'Ceasing to Breathe'. 'Spirit Breaker' is an absolute banger and it’s hard to know what I like best from the really interesting guitar work to how solid the bass and drums are! As usual, there is so much going on and it will take multiple listens to lock in on everything. At this point, I feel TJ has never sounded so aggressive with his vocals (I’ll probably be re-evaluating this as we go on).  

'Erase You': It’s safe to say this song encompasses everything that Still Remains has brought to the table with this release – It’s dynamic, heavy, melodic, do yourself a favour and check out the video for this song if you haven’t already.  

'Eclipse': Starts with some real classic sounding Still Remains guitars (it’s a nice throwback to their roots). Overall, this song is the probably the closest to a youthful Still Remains but put through their new and modern filter. AJ really gets a workout on his kick drums on this one. Kenny on bass creating a syncopated groove that drives this song.  

'Waste of Breath': brings this EP to a close with another track that is as equally heavy as it is infectious, You’ve gotta hand it to the guys as they really know how to strike the balance between going really heavy and balancing this with catchy vocal patterns (often doing the same thing at once.)  

Sure, there will people out there that claim this EP isn’t as good as 'The Worst is Yet to Come', 'White Walls', 'Stay Captive' but to me, that’s nostalgia speaking. What is clear here is yes, Still Remains have not released anything new for a long time and it would be easy to phone it in, but that’s not Still Remains style, these guys were never gonna half ass it. No, and I’ll repeat myself here, with 'Spirit Breaker', Still Remains have created a new modern twist on their sound. From razor sharp guitars, to cutting edge keys, to stronger drumming and bass, to the striking vocals, everything and I mean everything has been ramped up by 10 – hell even the production has as well.   

I honestly can’t speak highly enough about how good this EP really is, it’s a short sharp shock that makes you just want to hit repeat and go again – Still Remains have stumbled on to something here with 'Spirit Breaker' as this is most definitely a case of less is way more (zero filler here), It’s so good to have you guys back…please don’t make us wait another 12 years when the quality of this release is this high.  

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Review - Aleutia Shannon