Toronto’s Respire come across as more of a collective than a band, with guests making a total of a dozen musicians contributing to Black Line. Or perhaps orchestra would be the right word: opener Blight is a strikingly effective prelude that is wholly classical in feel, and the key role played throughout by Eslin McKay’s violin is accompanied by appearances from glockenspiels, vibraphones and a brass section at different points on the album. On the other hand, Respire exist very much in the DIY tradition and sonic framework of classic screamo, with a fondness for ragged ferocity and vocals which range from anguished to venomous. Judicious use of blastbeats hint at a black metal influence, one that enhances rather than overpowers the inherent hardcore attack of tracks like Tempest or&n...
