STILL REMAINS RETURN WITH FIRE IN THEIR VEINS ON ‘SPIRIT BREAKER’

Still Remains – Spirit Breaker EP

Jace Media Music Review by Glen Parkes

After more than a decade away from the recording studio, Michigan metalcore veterans Still Remains have returned with something to prove. Spirit Breaker, their first collection of new material since 2013’s Ceasing to Breathe, is not simply a comeback EP—it’s a statement of intent from a band determined to remind the metalcore world exactly why they mattered in the first place.

Produced by Lee Albrecht, the five-track release successfully captures the essence of classic Still Remains while injecting enough modern muscle to ensure it feels relevant in 2026. The result is an EP that balances nostalgia with progression, delivering crushing riffs, soaring melodies, and an emotional depth that elevates it beyond a simple reunion effort.

Opening track “The Wound and the Weapon” wastes no time announcing the band’s return. Featuring a guest appearance from Guy Kozowyk, the song explodes from the speakers with relentless aggression, thunderous breakdowns, and the trademark melodic flourishes that helped define Still Remains during the metalcore boom of the mid-2000s. It feels familiar yet refreshed, setting the tone perfectly for what follows.

The title track “Spirit Breaker” continues the momentum with a darker, more emotionally charged atmosphere. The guitars cut through the mix with precision, while frontman T.J. Miller delivers one of the strongest vocal performances of his career. There’s a sense of struggle and perseverance running through the song that makes it instantly resonate.

“Erase You” emerges as one of the EP’s standout moments. Combining huge melodic hooks with punishing instrumentation, it showcases the band’s ability to blend beauty and brutality effortlessly. The chorus lingers long after the track ends, proving that Still Remains haven’t lost their knack for memorable songwriting.

The haunting “Eclipse” shifts the mood slightly, leaning into the atmospheric elements that always separated the band from many of their contemporaries. Layers of melody intertwine with crushing riffs to create a track that feels both expansive and intensely personal.

Closing number “Waste of Breath” provides a fitting finale. Raw, urgent, and emotionally charged, it brings the EP to a powerful conclusion while leaving listeners wanting more. Rather than feeling like an ending, it feels like the beginning of a new chapter.

What makes Spirit Breaker particularly impressive is how authentic it sounds. Many reunion releases struggle to recapture past glories, but Still Remains have avoided that trap entirely. Instead of chasing trends, they’ve refined their signature sound and delivered something that honours their legacy while embracing the present.

For longtime fans of Of Love and Lunacy, this EP will feel like reconnecting with an old friend. For newcomers, it serves as a perfect introduction to a band that helped shape a generation of metalcore.

After twelve years of silence, Still Remains have returned stronger, heavier, and more emotionally powerful than ever. Spirit Breaker proves that some wounds never heal—but sometimes that’s exactly what makes the music so compelling.