EP REVIEW: Take Breath – See The Life Leave Me

’…It is perhaps ironic that on an EP as bleak and distraught as this one, Take Breath have never shone brighter…’

If there is one thing that is clear about Take Breath, it is that this is a collective of musicians who truly view themselves as artists. The three-piece have been carving out a niche for themselves in the underground of the UK’s heavy scene for quite some time now, with a ferocious live show and a solid discography; a solid discography that the band have since elected to retire.

For Take Breath, 2024 is a year of rebirth. During the summer, the band elected to remove much of their older material from streaming services, citing the fact that they felt it no longer represented who they were. For all intents and purposes, ‘See The Light Leave Me’ has been treated as the debut release of this band, unshackled from any expectations; their choices have been bold, but so is their brand new sound, and the pay off may well be worth it.

‘Canvas’ makes for a phenomenal look at Take Breath’s new fully-realised sound Their penchant for the cinematic is still present, with sparkling keys and synths making for a distant, swirling backdrop to the sonic thunder at the forefront. Heavier than ever before, vocalist Fynn Gillions employs some simply brutal screamed vocals atop of jarring, crushing instrumentals that pummel the listener.

That raw, frenzied aggression that explodes forth with ‘Canvas’ is then distilled and channeled into the brilliantly groovy ‘Promise Me’. The lead single of this new era of Take Breath, this remains not only a swaggering and effortlessly cool slab of alternative metal, but a deeply infectious track with fantastically memorable choruses. Guitars crackle with violent distortion over immense, bounding rhythms, whilst the breakdown segment harkens back to the very best of 2010s metalcore.

It is perhaps the closing track, however, that best bridges the gap between new and old. ‘No Lungs, No Breath‘ features moments of deeply emotive vocals and stark, bleak ambience that feel most similar to what the band had been crafting prior. These moments surge forwards into wild, thundering heavy passages that cascade down upon the listener. It is a masterful display of sonic light and shade.

To have taken such as a risk is one thing, but for that risk to pay off in their favour is another; Take Breath’s rebirth is one that firmly defines their existence and finally does justice to the incredible work ethic they have approach their art with. It is perhaps ironic that on an EP as bleak and distraught as this one, Take Breath have never shone brighter. 2025 could be a very exciting year for them.

RATING: 79/100 – Mostly Very Good

For Fans Of: Sleep Token, Thornhill, Casey, Bad Omens, Love Is Noise

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify