ALBUM REVIEW: Breathe In Colours – Forever Still

There’s nothing better than finding new music – especially in the modern age of downloads, streaming and the all important playlists. Springing out of Copenhagen at the turn of the decade FOREVER STILL quickly and confidently amassed a fan base through quick releases of EPs and high profile tours with the likes of legends CHILDREN OF BODOM and LACUNA COIL. Now the bands are about to unleash a record on the world in the form of Breathe In Colours that solidifies the band as a creative force and one in which the band may share and even command the stages the previous bands once played.

Debut album Tied Down revolved the insular, internal feelings of a central protagonist that took us on a journey through feelings of depression, self doubt and anger. Breath In Colours continues this story but now rather than continuing to look inward the record now turns outwards to the emotional landscape of the modern age. The feeling of having to deal with the stresses and strains of dealing with a world that is mentally and physically falling to pieces around you. Inspired by the world created by the works of Phillip K. Dick‘s Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, and Ridley Scott‘s 1992 magnum opus adaption Blade Runner, the music across the newest offering from FOREVER STILL is expansive and steeped in electronics with the lyrics remaining deeply personal. There is a sense of hope within the record, lyrics blending together between loos and hope, fragility and strength.

Opening track Rewind shows this expansive musical landscape with its use of a Theremin, more commonly used in the music of Danny Elfman for the works of Tim Burton but used here to wild abandon and experimentation. The instrument brings an ethereal, haunting quality to the track elevating the track above its conventional roots. Second single Breath In Colours sucks you in just s quick as it spits you out before unleashing a vocal line unlike anything vocalist Maja Shining has utilised in the past. The track develops into one the heaviest compositions of the bands discography and sets the benchmark for where the rest of the record can go.

One of the bands assets is their ability to merge the rough with the smooth, the use of often heard instrumentation in metal with a surprise or a twist on a modern trope. The electronic hum of Fight hits that particular nail on the head and Pieces with multi-instrumentalist Mikkel Haastrup utilising his diversity and understanding of the songs needs. You cant help but hear the influence of EVANESCENCE and especially the glacial fragile vocal lines of Amy Lee in songs like Say Your Goodbyes with its simple, delicate piano melody crashing into a euphoric chorus that doesn’t feel overused or overwritten.

Being the perennial difficult second album other bands fall foul of, FOREVER STILL have managed to not only dodge that particular downfall but also continued their experimentation of previous records. One in which they have not only used their own experiences to colour the record but one in which they have used the world outside your window to do so as well. One in which we are all as fragile as each other, one in which we all have internal and external forces guiding us to be the best we can be, and for a better world with better human understanding.

Rating: 8/10

Breath In Colours is out now via Nuclear Blast Records. 

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