The Breath of Life (band)

The Breath of Life is a dark wave, ethereal wave and gothic rock band from Belgium. "I guess you can say that The Breath of Life are an institution in the Belgian Goth scene. During decades they were, without any doubt, the sole Belgian band who was able to blend ethereal darkwave, gothrock and post-punk. Or perhaps it is better just to think of The Breath of Life as they created a very personal sound" wrote Peek A Boo magazine in February 2015.
History.
The group was born in 1985 in Gembloux when Isabelle Dekeyser (vocals), Philippe Mauroy (guitar) and Benoît Sokay (bass) met up for the first time. In 1990, with the arrival of Giovanni Bortolin (keyboards & violin – ex Jo Lemaire + Flouze) and the decision to use a Drum machine the group began to get foothold and refined its musical style. That same year, they won the contest in Namur and self-produced a 10 tracks tape. In 1991 the band went on tour in Czechoslovakia and again the following year. Their first CD "Live in Praha 92" highlights a recording of a concert in Prague.
This first production is followed the same year by the first studio album "Painful Insanity" recorded by Gilles Martin, cult producer of Coldwave (Minimal Compact, Tuxedomoon, Anna Domino, Colin Newman, Malaria, The Names, ... and in other styles Deus , Miossec or Indochine). 1993 saw the release of "Taste of Sorrow" which remains for many their iconic album. Also produced by Martin it contains the title "Nasty Cloud" that became a classic gothic hit. "The songs are endearing and energetic, with the bass well forward, nerve guitars, original use of the violin, electronic stormy moods and sometimes lyrical, sometimes angry voices" as describes in the book "Carnets Noirs" in the chapter on the Dark-Wave international scene. In 1995 the band released "Lost Children" which developed more delicate atmospheres in ethereal wave style. The Group signed with for the next album "Sweet Party" released in 1997. This marks a more pop and electronic turn. In 2000 "Silver Drops" was released with Martin behind the mixing desk again. The melancholic pop tinged with Trip hop orientation is confirmed. This album was the last one with Martin at production. Shortly after Mauroy left the band and Didier Czepczyk took over on guitars.
Albums "Everlasting Souls" (2005) and "Whispering Fields" (2012) marked a return to more gothic atmospheres, the abandonment of the drum machine and the arrival of drummer Marc Haerden. The group is then signed by the label Danse Macabre. Benoît Sokay, bassist since the beginning left in 2014. In January 2015 Philippe Mauroy rejoined the band almost 15 years after having left it.
In May 2017 the album "Under The Falling Stars" is released and see the return of Gilles Martin behind the mixing desk. The album has received excellent reviews. In August 2017 it reached the 6th place of German Alternative Charts.
In 2020, the band decided to record their 10th album during the covid-19 pandemic and while Belgium was still in lockdown. This was therefore done in a particular way, each members recording their parts of the songs at home and sharing their files using WeTransfer. However, two members of the band travelled to France and met Gilles Martin for the final mix when rules in regards to covid-19 allowed it. The album entitled "Spark Around Us" came out in November 2020 and was well received by fans and critics.
The Breath of Life has among others played at the Dour Festival (B), Whitby Goth Weekend (GB), M'era Luna Festival (D), Zillo festival (D), Wave-Gotik-Treffen (D), Castle Party Festival (PL),Underworld Camden (GB) ... The group performed in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland.