Introducing... With One Last Breath

Originally formed in April 2008 and based in York, England, With One Last Breath are the perfect example of an up and coming band in the modern UK metal scene. In the space of four years the band have gone from booking their own gigs in pubs in Yorkshire to playing sell out tours with the likes of Asking Alexandria, Yashin and Of Mice & Men. They've also found management in Devin Timmons and Will Stevenson at The Artery Foundation, and have become a part of TKO Worldwide (the booking agents of the likes of Motorhead, 36 Crazyfists, The Cult and Anthrax). The band, consisting of Spencer Costello on vocals, Sam Graves on vocals/guitar, Joe Graves on guitar, Chris Bowling on drums and Joe Lancaster on bass takes the proven five-man metal powerhouse formula and runs with it. Based firmly in metal with influences drawn from screamo and hardcore, their music is reminiscent of Bring Me the Horizon and Devil Wears Prada, but they keep their own original feel.

The band started out with brothers Sam and Joe Graves writing songs together in their own time. Alongside bassist at the time Jake Holmes and drummer Chris Bowling, they played a few local shows as a four-piece around York before deciding to take things more seriously. They continued this way until the summer of 2010 when Jake left the band to go to university, allowing Joe Lancaster to step in as the band’s new bassist. In late 2010 the band decided they wanted a fifth member for vocals. After holding auditions they decided on Spencer Costello, which completes the band’s current line-up. Now a five-piece the band continued playing in venues around York working with local bands and promoters to establish a name for themselves in their home city. Using social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, With One Last Breath started to play gigs further and further afield and began to accumulate a large fanbase.

I asked drummer Chris Bowling about what he felt the band’s real turning point was, and he said: “I think it was Asking Alexandria wanting us to tour with them. They asked us in late 2011 and things have really gotten busy since the tour in January.” This year has indeed been packed so far for With One Last Breath, with the band supporting sold out tours, playing to a crammed Red Bull tent at Download, opening at Hit the Deck Festival, and earning a table at the Kerrang! awards after playing the opening show with Skindred, Yashin and Feed The Rhino. Following a busy first half of 2012, the band’s schedule isn't getting lighter any time soon. Besides headlining various shows into September, the band is also set to play Serengeti festival and Summer Jam 2012 in July, headline Scream Fest in August, and play select dates with Yashin and We Are The Ocean. In September the band is also touring as the main support for Motionless in White.

With One Last Breath create melodies catchy enough to give their audience a moment of clarity before smashing into them head on with another round of bone crunching guitar riffs and vocals; their songs have a great whirlwind of rhythm that you can’t help but find yourself banging your head to.

With One Last Breath have an album due to be released later this year, but you can listen to the band’s EP on MySpace here or check out their latest music video After the Suffering here. 

JW