Sounds You Need in Yor Ears
Episode 15: Still In Love
Still In Love are the supergroup you've probably not yet heard of, and I'm here to change that. I use the term "supergroup" somewhat tongue-in-cheek because, while the members themselves are not household names, they have made their mark on alternative music through the works of their previous bands.
Named after the Cat Power song of the same name (which is itself a cover of Hank Williams), the group is comprised of Nick Worthington (previously of Dead Swans as well as Public Domain/Last Shreds) on vocals, Adrian Cecil (of Last Witness) on bass, Mark Ringrose, (of Throats) on guitar, as well as newcomers Marc Richards (of Brutality Will Prevail) on drums, and Curtis Ward (of Counting Days and formerly of Bring Me The Horizon) on guitar.
The seed for what would become Still In Love was planted during a series of reunion shows for Dead Swans in the late 2010s. Nick, at the time freshly sober, had the idea of writing a record around his experiences of being an addict and getting sober. He tentatively called the band "Withdrawal Symptoms" after realising he was never going to be able to fully resurrect Dead Swans to complete the record, and started looking for new musicians to work with. This led to, in his own words, a few failed attempts at starting the band during the pandemic.
Talking to Adrian one day, Nick began explaining the concept of Withdrawal Symptoms, and the bassist was convinced to join, bringing along Mark. It was around this time that Nick decided to name the band Still In Love. They hit the studio, recording a three track EP entitled Withdrawal Symptoms Pt. 1, exploring the life of an addict through Nick's own personal experiences. Original members Giulio and Bill left shortly after, and were replaced with Marc and Curtis respectively, at which point the band started work in Withdrawal Symptoms Pt. 2, a continuation of the first EP.
These were later reissued together on record with two bonus instrumental tracks.
This brings us to the present. Continuing on the upward trajectory they've established, Still In Love dropped their debut album, Recovery Language back on September 5th. Eight tracks of hard hitting metallic hardcore, this record continues on the theme of addiction, recovery, and sobriety that we have come to know from the band, and hits just as hard.
With Nick's hometown being Brighton, UK, it only seemed fitting to enlist the help of fellow Brighton native, Sam Carter (of Architects) fame, who makes an appearance on the third track, 'Preserve & Cherish'. Those around in the early 2000s may remember Architects doing a split with Nick's old band Dead Swans, due to the latter's friendship with the Searle brothers, Tom and Dan. This split was actually how I discovered Architects, in early 2008. Later that same year, Sam would also feature on Bring Me The Horizon's sophomore album, Suicide Season, while Curtis was still a member. So the band has a storied history with him from many years together in the UK hardcore scene.
The band worked with producer Lewis Johns, known for his work with bands like Rolo Tomassi, Svalbard, Funeral For A Friend, and Loathe among others. The ensuing result was a punchy and in your face album with a dark and crusty sound reminiscent of 2000s hardcore, mixed with a familiar hint of I Am War's album, Outlive You All. To compare it to bands others might be more familiar with, this record treads the line between END and earlier Counterparts very well.
If you are a fan of Nick's previous band, Dead Swans, or bands like The Hope Conspiracy, The Banner, From Ashes Rise, Cursed, and The Carrier, then this record is a must listen.
Words by Ali J. MacBean @ohalistair
Follow Still In Love via Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp
Stream Recovery Language here
Still In Love - Recovery Language tracklisting
1. Tell The Truth
2. Nervous Impulse
3. Preserve & Cherish feat. Sam Carter
4. Feathered Nest
5. Inherit
6. The State Of Things To Come
7. You Have To Let It Go feat. Andrew Fisher
8. Pillar Of Strength
