Bridgend in South Wales is home to some of the UK’s most prolific alternative bands, such as Funeral For A Friend, Hondo Mclean and Bullet For My Valentine. Now it’s home to one more, Breathe In The Silence. September saw the release of the Welsh quintet’s debut EP ‘Hold My Heart’ which has been quickly followed by a couple of singles and some extensive touring that’s lead them to start work on an album already. This is a band that show no signs of slowing down.
‘Hold My Heart’ opens with the melodic title track of the same name which consequently was also the first single to be lifted from the record. The shortest track on the EP, but by no means the worst, it almost acts as an introduction to ease you into what’s yet to come. Despite the huge barricade of sound they create, it doesn’t prepare you for the much faster, much heavier second single ‘Promised Lands’.
Right off the mark, ‘Promised Lands’ sits right on the edge between the heavier side of pop punk / hardcore and mainstream brit rock, but it’s not quite poppy enough to be the latter. There’s a real mix up of big catchy choruses, a mix of clean and harsh vocals as well as a big ambient post-rock soundscape. On paper these things shouldn’t all work together instantly but Breathe In The Silence manage to do it with style and finesse.
‘Barricade’ is a much dancier offering, swirling with clean guitars and melodies that lead into massive choruses that are sure to have you nodding along and tapping your feet. Although don’t be fooled by the stripped back verses, despite their minimal guitars and vocals, this track contains some venom. Vocalist Adamross Williams drops the clean melodies and lets loose some vicious deliveries that cry with desperation. The same goes for ‘Devils Peak’, its ambient introduction lulling you into a false sense of security as it’s soon a punchy and fast paced assault overflowing with the aforementioned gut-wrenching screams.
Changing up the format slightly is EP closer ‘I Believe I’m In Hell Therefore I Am’ that opts for a lot more harsh vocals than any of the other tracks. Screamed verses and a breakdown, that oddly enough doesn’t sound out of place, only enhance how impressive the huge catchy choruses are. The abrupt ending is so sudden it leaves you craving more; surely the Welsh Quintet aren’t done yet? With the recent news of a full length album in the works, a follow up release can’t come quick enough.
JAMES DAVENPORT