A Dirty Dozen with PAUL ILLGE, JR. from BREATHE IN – November 2025

According to a recent press release: “The rising force in metalcore, Breathe In, released their electrifying new single “Misfortune’s Hand”. Bridging the ferocity of American metalcore with the cinematic precision of Japanese metal and visual kei, the track delivers an immersive and sonically devastating experience that defines the band’s signature Visual Metalcore sound. Hailing from the heart of the tri-state, Breathe In brings together raw talents from New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Philly. Fusing the aggressive edge of American metal with the precision and artistry of Japanese metal, their sound is as cinematic as it is intense, built to leave a mark both visually and sonically. Formed by five seasoned musicians who have weathered the ever-shifting tides of the music industry, Breathe In is united by a shared mission to bring an intense, sonic experience like no other. The band is made up of vocalist Shola Aurora, guitarists Brian Kang & Topeng, bassist Rob Gnarly, and drummer Paul Illge Jr.” We get Paul to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Kang first wrote the demo for “Misfortune’s Hand” early 2023. Then he & I started putting it together. It was instantly one of my favorite songs. Musically, I was very inspired by Slayer for the bridge. I absolutely love half time, ride cymbal breakdowns. So I had to throw that in there. In terms of the music video, I threw in a bunch of hidden nuggets. First off, we shot the B-Roll in my backyard. That’s my hand holding the sword & axe. The axe itself is actually a full scale replica of the Leviathan Axe from the newer God of War games. Also, in all of our visuals & videos I always wear some kind recognizable nerdy necklace. I’ve worn the Blades of Chaos from God of War, An Aztec gold coin from Pirates of the Caribbean. This video, I’m wearing a Mjolnir necklace. Another deep cut nugget, is the edit for the video itself. The Slo-mo shots with the sparks flying towards the camera is actually a technique I tried in one of the first music videos I ever shot for my old band many, many years ago. I finally had a chance to do it properly & make it look cool.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I was around 6 years old. My mom would always play The Beatles, The Monkees, John or classical music as a baby. I’ll always love that kind of music but I felt something was missing. I needed something more intense & heavier. I wanted to invent something that combined all of it. Then I discovered Number of The Beast by Iron Maiden & I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

After discovering Number of The Beast, I was hooked on metal & started playing drums more seriously. When I was in 3rd grade I discovered the album Warriors Of The World by Manowar & my life changed. It was everything I ever wanted in music. It perfectly combines classical arrangements with the power of metal. Which led me down the power metal rabbit hole. I already knew I wanted to be a musician but that album shaped how I needed to express myself musically.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Nicko McBrain from Iron Maiden is probably my biggest influence but also Clive Burr from those early Maiden albums. Scott Columbus from Manowar. Ronnie James Dio. Hannes van Dahl from Sabaton.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I think it would be cool to work with Howard Jones. It’s not everyday you see a black frontman for a metal band. So why not have 2? You know what, let’s throw in Corey Glover in there too, make it a killer track with the best black vocalists ever.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

A great way I’ve heard people describe Breathe In, is Power Metalcore. It’s literally power metal & metalcore combined. Thankfully, I haven’t really heard anything I didn’t agree with. We have so many different influences & such a wide range of backgrounds that when anyone finds something they enjoy or draws a comparison to something they like, I find it really interesting to hear their perspective.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Shola busts out the drinks 100% of the time. I feel like Kang or I would probably start cooking. Topeng is always noodling on the guitar but Rob will bust out the singalong tunes.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

The closest I got to being star struck was meeting Sabaton in 2012 on their Carolus Rex tour but I don’t really get star struck. I’ve worked with so many famous people from my film work that you realize they’re just regular people.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Being able to have fun & express myself is the best part. If I couldn’t be a musician I would want to stick to being a cinematographer. I love being on set & it’s another form of expressing myself, just in visuals instead.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I always wanted an interviewer to ask about our music videos because I want to shed some light on my amazing crew. Max my go-to Assistant Director who always keeps us on track & is also our entire grip & electric department. Bruno & Mark who are not only my main camera operators, but they’re also cinematographers & are super creative & perfect to collaborate with. My brother John, who shoots the behind the scenes footage & helps around set & is also a talented photographer. Brian Flores who is another creative photographer & a valuable hand on set. These guys are what make our video shoots possible. As of right now I’m not tired of any questions yet, but I can see getting sick of answering how we came up with the band name.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

It’s not so much a misstep just how the world changed in general, but my old band came out with an album in December 2019. When Covid hit, it messed with our plans & changed the way media is distributed & consumed. I wish we could’ve adapted better or maybe waited & released it after when things cleared up.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for anyone record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Heaven & Hell by Black Sabbath. I know it’s not a popular opinion but the Dio Sabbath albums are masterpieces. I would love to see Dio, raw, in the studio & how they came up with the riffs & the lyrics. This was another album I remember discovering very young & the philosophical lyrics were mind blowing as a kid.

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Category: Interviews