Sometimes it is some easy to see the world through a negative lens and think that in the hardcore punk community all this angry music is just a reflection of all the pent-up anger of all the shit we as humans have to deal with on a daily basis.
This isn’t the case for Bristol-based metallic hardcore outfit Breathe/Rust. Yes their music may sound heavy, brooding and aggressive, but the message at its core is one of passion, emotion and hope.
“What you see on stage is an expression of joy, as we truly love what we do.” Vocalist Rich Thomas explains to Just An Insight.
“Being four people locked into a single ephemeral moment, in which nothing else exists but right now. Our music might be aggressive, but the lyrical content is not. We are emotionally honest about our hopes and fears and would hope that this inspires our listeners to do the same.”
Since starting, the quartet has steadily built a reputation across the South West as one of the most intense live bands around right now, and with a couple of weekend tours under their belts they are now starting to show the rest of the UK what Breathe/Rust is about.
With a sound akin to the likes of Converge, Trap Them and END, Breathe/Rust are flying the flag for seems to be a bit of a forgotten sound in the UK scene after a wave of bands like Razoreater, Senator and The Long Haul had previously been bearers of the chainsaw, HM2 pedal infused guitar sound.
Rich added: “With Breathe/Rust we work together with the same vision for the band, we want to keep creating music that pushes us creatively and physically as musicians.
“We would hope that if people were to take away something from our music.”
Initially formed in 2020 when guitarist Nath Stevens moved back to the UK from living in Australia for a period of time. Rich and Nath, like many musicians, used lockdown as an opportunity to write music and really flesh out the sound of Breathe/Rust.
However, due to members moving cities and further lockdowns the band wasn’t unleashed into the world until 2023. Since then they have gone on to establish themselves in the Bristol scene and it is something they are very proud of.
“Bristol has always been a hub for alternative culture in the South West, with bands such as Vice Squad, Disorder and Chaos UK helping to cement the City’s punk credentials from the beginning,” Rich continues.
“I think that having access to such a broad spectrum of music leads to musicians not feeling constrained to stick to the boundaries of genre.
“This coupled with the fact that we are living in a post covid society, is what I believe is responsible for the current boom in Bristolian artists. Music is embedded in the city and is one of the main attractions for people to move here, plus there is a huge student population so there is no shortage of new blood being injected into the scene every year.
“The scene is so positive, and in such a small city everyone knows everyone. This means musicians are free to create without judgement or competition, we’re all friends and want each other to succeed.”
Being part of this scene and the wider UK scene isn’t something which the four-piece take for granted. Even though they have only been an active band since 2023, the members having been playing in various bands for 20 plus years.
And even all these years in Rich explains they joy of playing in a band with your best friends is something which never gets old.
He continues: “In the grand scheme of things we are still a new band but would say that the highlight has be the fact that I get to head out and play shows around the country with three of my best friends.
“Getting older these opportunities to spend time with people you care about don’t happen as regularly as they used to, so I don’t take this band for granted.”
Breathe/Rust vocalist continues: “Hardcore as a genre is unlike any other, as there is much more of a unique relationship between the band and audience. The two feed off each other in a symbiotic relationship you don’t find anywhere else.
“There are no rock stars in hardcore, because the audience is just as much a part of the band as the musicians. Until recently hardcore has been left relatively untouched by the mainstream, and so this has built a community that is fiercely passionate and wary of outside influence. Hardcore for hardcore.
“We have as individuals been a part of this community for around 20 years now, and to see the scene constantly evolving and supporting new bands is hugely inspiring.”
With two EPs under their belts and various weekend tours up and down the country, Breathe/Rust will once again be entering the studio in 2025. Something with Rich is extremely excited to share with the world.
He added: “. These will be the first set of songs written since the band has been playing together and we feel better represent who we are moving forward.”
Breathe/Rust will also be out on the road more throughout the year, so make sure you catch them if they come to a city or town near you.
SHOUT OUTS:
Here at Just an Insight we want to learn about as many bands in our scene as possible, both in the UK and internationally. So as part of each feature we are giving the bands an opportunity to shout out some other bands to check out. Here is Rich’s recommendations:
“Body Crisis, Bruxism, Cainhurst, Chewing Glass Collective, Concrete Ships, Copse, Docile, Higher Walls, Host Body, Pariah, Perp Walk, Peruvian Necktie, Plague Pit, Row of Ashes, SKABS, Slake, Supernova, Tension, Uncertainty, Underdark, Vicarage.”
Just An Insight 
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