For the first time since 2013’s Ceasing To Breathe, Still Remains have returned with new music. After more than a decade away, Spirit Breaker doesn’t find the Grand Rapids metalcore veterans attempting to reinvent themselves or chase modern trends. Instead, the five-song EP finds the band embracing the sound that made them stand out in the first place while proving it still has plenty of life left in 2026.
Opening track “The Wound And The Weapon” immediately reintroduces listeners to the band’s signature blend of melodic guitar work, keyboards, and memorable choruses. The song was quietly debuted during the band’s Furnace Fest appearance in 2025 before eventually receiving an official release, and it serves as the perfect welcome back. Featuring guest vocals from Guy Kozowyk of The Red Chord, the track becomes increasingly familiar as it progresses, with the chorus driving home the fact that Still Remains haven’t lost their ability to write infectious hooks.
The title track follows with one of the EP’s most distinctive moments. Beginning with a dance-oriented electronic intro that fans of The Browning may appreciate, “Spirit Breaker” quickly transitions into a crushing breakdown while maintaining its electronic pulse throughout. While countless bands have experimented with electronic metalcore over the years, few have ever established a sound as instantly recognizable as the one Still Remains crafted on Of Love And Lunacy. More than two decades later, they continue to showcase a mastery of balancing electronics, melody, and heaviness without sacrificing the guitar-driven core of their music.
“Erase You” shifts the focus toward the heavier side of the band’s sound. Arguably the most straightforward track on the EP, it features aggressive riffing and a breakdown that feels reminiscent of the band’s earlier material while still fitting naturally alongside the rest of the release.
Meanwhile, “Eclipse” introduces a slightly different flavor. Carrying shades of early melodic As I Lay Dying while maintaining Still Remains’ trademark symphonic elements, the track leans more heavily into melody from the outset. The approach pays off, building toward one of the EP’s strongest breakdowns and a bridge that is destined to become a favorite among listeners.
Closing track “Waste Of Breath” brings the EP to an appropriately heavy conclusion, reinforcing the strengths that define the release from start to finish.
What makes Spirit Breaker stand out isn’t innovation. Still Remains aren’t attempting to rewrite the metalcore playbook. Instead, they deliver a reminder of what made this era of metalcore so compelling in the first place: memorable guitar riffs, rhythmic breakdowns, soaring melodies, and keyboards that complement the songs rather than overshadow them. Their ability to blend electronic and symphonic elements into their songwriting remains one of the band’s defining strengths.
At just under 20 minutes, Spirit Breaker leaves listeners wanting more, but that’s ultimately one of its greatest assets. The EP moves quickly, never overstays its welcome, and remains engaging enough to warrant multiple listens back-to-back.
Perhaps most importantly, Spirit Breaker succeeds without relying on nostalgia. While longtime fans will undoubtedly appreciate hearing Still Remains again, this doesn’t feel like a reunion release designed solely for those who were around during the band’s original run. The songwriting is strong enough to stand on its own. Younger metalcore fans discovering the band for the first time can find just as much to enjoy here as those revisiting a familiar name from the genre’s past.
The hooks remain memorable. The riffs remain effective. The breakdowns still hit hard. More than a decade after their last release, Still Remains have delivered a reminder that the sound they helped establish still has a place in today’s metalcore landscape.
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