Respire

Toronto DIY post-everything collective Respire has been a pioneering force in the Canadian underground scene for ten years, building a cult-like following over four critically acclaimed LPs and several international tours. The seven-piece pushes the boundaries of heavy music, intertwining intricate, uplifting orchestral arrangements with the intensity and urgency of emotional hardcore and the desperation of black metal.

Their latest offering, Hiraeth, is a testament to the collective’s ambition, genre-defying style, and maximalist approach. The album is a tribute to those who have uprooted their lives in search of hope and a cautionary tale to those who remain falsely secure in their illusory societal positions. It is a manifesto of the immigrant experience; a call for all of us to embrace our shared humanity, awaken to the fragility of our existence, and confront the crises we face collectively before it's too late.