Breed 77 – VII Review

Back in the early to mid 2000s, Gibraltarian flamenco/alternative metal band Breed 77 seemed to be everywhere, so much so that they inadvertently became one of the bands I’d seen live the most, either through support slots or festival appearances.

Now, thirteen years later, the band is back with their new album VII that hopes to bring Breed 77’s unique blend of metal and Spanish flamenco to a modern audience, and it’s an absolute blast from the past.

At their height, the band were often lumped in with Nu-Metal, which at the time sort of made sense, but for the most part they fit snugly into alternative metal and hard rock. With VII, the band continue their hard rock legacy but with a slightly more grown-up spin. The flamenco elements are still here, too, but slightly more withheld than earlier records.

What I can say for certain, though, is that Breed 77 haven’t lost their magic. Going from their earlier work on albums like Cultura and In My Blood, VII still has that heavy, gritty edge, with vocalist Paul Isola hitting those high cleans and intense harsh vocals effortlessly. The only difference is that I would say the band have mellowed slightly in their later years.

If there’s one thing I really enjoy is the Latin influences in metal, I’ve always adored Ill Niño’s fusion, and Breed 77 are no different, aside from them being a little more on the hard rock side than nu-metal. VII almost scratches that itch with tracks like We Were Young and I See Red; however, these heavier tracks are wedged between a mix of alt-rock ballads and slower classical guitar songs.

That eclecticism is something that is often attributed to Breed 77, and with this album, they continue to demonstrate that. From heavier metal to ballads to stadium metal, VII has it all. That did mean that I found a few tracks to be easily skippable, but for the most part, the album was a great listen.

Lyrically, the band have always touched on feeling isolated or being bullied for being different, and those similar themes are still relevant to the band thirteen years later, but with a modern focus. Tracks like Don’t Give Me Up, which the band describe as an “anthem for the misunderstood, outcasts, and anyone who feels crushed by social media pressure and societal judgement,” show the band still knows their audience.