BREATHE IN: Power Behind Transformation
- Sammie Starr
- Nov 14, 2025
- 4 min read
Metalcore band Breathe In furthers its journey toward confidence and change with the release of their new grandiose and melodically rich single, "Misfortune's Hand."
Looking back to the start of BREATHE IN's career, the band has excelled at capturing intimate, raw moments of uncertainty that precede the unknown. As they release their new single, “Misfortune’s Hand,” the band has transformed since their previous release, “Fallujah.” This new phase signifies continuity and confidence during the band's transition. Adapting to new circumstances is always challenging, whether for a new band or an established one. However, this period of rediscovery in their writing process, along with the addition of new members, brings excitement for the upcoming chapter and a sense of catharsis. New members Shola Aurora and Topeng have infused the creative process with fresh influences, opening new avenues for crafting evocative, memorable lyrics while discovering beauty in the enigmatic within its turbulent spaces. “Misfortune’s Hand” has not only been a challenge to overcome but also a demonstration of the band's potential to explore fun and uncharted territories.
From the very beginning, BREATHE IN has thrived on channeling those raw, uncertain moments that come just before a leap into the unknown. Now, as you prepare to release your new single, “Misfortune’s Hand,” what does this next step represent for you?
Brian: “Misfortune’s Hand” represents the continuation and confidence of our new lineup. With “Fallujah,” it was sort of this ice-breaker period where we were beginning to learn how to adjust our writing process with Shola and Topeng. It's like going on a rollercoaster again after riding it the first time; you know what to expect, and now you can enjoy the experience to the fullest without any sort of inhibitions.
Paul: We’ve actually been sitting on this song for a long time. Actually, back in March 2023, I posted a short clip of the bridge of this song on my YouTube channel. So for me, this represents relief. I’ve been so excited to release it into the world; it feels amazing that it’s finally out there. This is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever been a part of in my entire music career.
The band has undergone some big changes, welcoming Brooklyn-based singer Shola Aurora as your new vocalist and bringing in Topeng as a second guitarist. How did these fresh dynamics influence the creative energy and recording process for this single?
Brian: Both Shola and Topeng add a whole new spectrum of creativity to our previous straightforward sound. Shola is a highly talented lyricist. He’s a master at crafting very poetic lyrics and can weave them into some of the most creative and memorable hooks anyone has ever heard. Topeng is an extremely talented guitarist and songwriter who takes a totally different approach to writing than I do. He has extensive knowledge of music theory and knows many obscure chord shapes that add so much color and brightness to the song.
Paul: Shola is an engineer himself, and he introduced me to Slate Digital drums, which streamlined my recording process. Recording drums myself eliminates the pressure of time constraints in a studio. I took the time to craft the drums to be precisely what the song called for. Topeng added so much texture and flair to the guitars, bringing the music to life. Shola’s visceral lyrics perfectly complemented the intensity and dynamics of the instrumentals.
Earlier this year, you dropped “Fallujah.” With “Misfortune’s Hand,” what fresh approaches did you experiment with to push your sound forward? Were there any instrumental choices that really tied the track’s themes together and gave it extra weight?
Brian: Actually, not really, funnily enough. I would say “Misfortune’s Hand” encapsulates the classic Breathe In sound. This was a song we have been sitting on for a while, and Shola and Topeng’s contributions just further strengthened it.
Paul: The original demo was already a killer track—one of my favorites—and it continued to evolve in ways I never expected. It already sounded huge, but the final track ended up being far more cinematic than I thought possible. I think that’s the main difference in terms of instrument choice. We were much more aware of our mix and mastering engineer's capabilities and left room for him to bring in those epic synths.
What was the catalyst for what inspired this single? Was it a moment, a conversation, or something else that inspired the narrative arc of this track?
Brian: I can’t really speak lyrically, but we wanted something instrumentally intense to continue the momentum of our previous singles. I came up with the verse and breakdown riffs and pretty much built the whole song around those.
Paul: I love the power of the instrumentals and wanted the lyrics to carry that same energy. Our goal is to maximize the emotions of every song we put out. The overall theme of this track is very inspirational and powerful.
How do you see this new single paving the way for the band’s next era? When you think about success, what does it truly mean for you as a group, knowing that vision is different for every artist?
Brian: I see “Misfortune’s Hand” continuing the momentum for the band. “Fallujah” served as our reintroduction, and “Misfortune’s Hand” is just carrying that baton forward. And yeah, you’re right. Success is subjective. For me, it's two things: being able to put out your art without being hindered by third parties and potentially making a good living doing it.
Paul: I think this single continues our passion for bringing high-energy, highly emotional music to the world. In terms of success, yes, it would be great to be financially successful and make a living off our work, but more importantly, the real success comes from the legacy it leaves behind. If we can inspire someone to pick up an instrument or bring joy to someone, then I know we’re doing the right thing.
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