With the blistering cacophony of 2024's 'Loved By None, Hated By All' still ringing in our ears, the Danish doyennes of death-metallic hardcore strike back with another furious full-length that fell into place even more rapidly than the last one. Following their tenth anniversary in 2024, on this fifth long player the jaundiced Jutlanders have their methodology rigorously locked in, and once again long-serving sound man Jacob Bredahl proved integral to the process. "This was the sixth time recording a Lifesick record with him," says the band, "so at this point we know each other extremely well - both personally and creatively. Jacob understands exactly what we want Lifesick to sound like and how to push us to get there. This time we finished the entire album as demos before entering the studio and sent everything to Jacob for feedback. Because of our relationship he’s never afraid to tell us if something isn’t good enough, and that honesty always pushes the songs further. Jacob has been a huge part of shaping Lifesick’s sound over the years. At this point he almost feels like the sixth member of the band."
On the Dead Rat website, Jacob promises he will "Try to make the band sound like the band - not like the studio," and sure enough, once again a Lifesick record emerges ringing with the band's own sonic quirks. It's still redolent of punk rock jam-room intimacy and mired in deathly HM-2 crunch tones, but with a bitter tang that's entirely Lifesick. Crucially, despite the frightening levels of bleak fury generated by this band in this studio - and unflinching lyrics like "I’ve been thriving like a tumor in the back of your head" and "I was raped by a bitch called life" - Lifesick's Dead Rat experience is a joyous one. "We’ve known each other for years, so there’s always a lot of joking and good energy in the room while we work," affirms the band. "That atmosphere really helps bring the best out of us. We genuinely love the process of writing music and had a lot of fun making this record. At the end of the day the most important thing for us is simple: every song needs at least one part that makes you want to mosh. Lifesick songs are written for the pit, and if a song doesn’t have that moment, it probably doesn’t make the record."
Although the process is nailed, new ways of working still present themselves. For this record the band did their most detailed pre-production and most intensive rehearsals, but a more contentious departure might be the first use of a click track on a Lifesick recording. "We always romanticized the idea of recording without one to keep things more 'human'," admits the band, "but we often felt certain sections ended up slightly too fast or too slow. Working with a click track allowed us to lock in the exact tempos before entering the studio and make sure every part hits with the impact we intended." Impact is the lifeblood of Lifesick, and as usual the lyrics - written around timeless themes of survival, confrontation and resilience - are a major source. "Life has a way of forcing you to face things you never expected, and sometimes the idea of a 'normal' life disappears overnight," ponders the band. "A lot of the lyrics on this record come from confronting that reality. Compared to previous Lifesick records, this one feels less like giving in to darkness and more like fighting back against it."
As is customary, Lifesick welcome an array of featured artists from bands they respect and enjoy, each collaborator invigorating the material with new energies. 'No Bark, All Bite' features Copenhagen hardcore luminaries and friends of the band Jonathan Albrechtsen (Rot Away) and Victor Kaas (Eyes); "Both of them are incredible vocalists, and this song naturally called for two voices trading lines back and forth. It’s an aggressive track and their vocal styles fit the energy perfectly." On 'Damaged Goods', Nitisart 'Mike' Chaiburi from self-proclaimed 'Bangkok Evilcore' crew Whispers adds "a really aggressive edge to the song that makes you want to destroy the pit", while Purified In Blood frontman Hallgeir Skretting Enoksen enhances 'Scum' with his snarling attitude. "They’ve definitely been an inspiration for Lifesick," the band reveals. "(Hallgeir) has an incredibly brutal voice [and] adds a really dark and heavy layer that fits the track perfectly." Finally, 'Assassination Culture' features Christoffer Bach Kofoed, vocalist with hotly-touted Danish youths Neckbreakker. "They play classic death metal but bring a fresh energy to it, and Christoffer’s vocals are especially aggressive. We always thought he would sound great on a hardcore track, and this song proves exactly that."
Live activity will follow, of course, but the band are promising something out of the ordinary to mark this album's release. "We want to go beyond the usual venue format and create something a bit different from a standard Lifesick concert," says the band. "At the same time we’re working on tour plans both in Denmark and internationally around the release of the record. The goal is to play as many shows and festivals as possible and take this record as far as we can."
CD jewel case version
Tracklisting:
- When Brutality Becomes The Language
- Hard To Kill
- All Eyes On Me
- No Bark, All Bite (feat. Rot Away, Eyes)
- Damaged Goods (feat. Whispers)
- Scum (feat. Purified In Blood)
- Assassination Culture (feat. Neckbreakker)
- Attitude Adjustment
- At War With You
- Die With Me
Condition: NEW
Brand: 100% Official Lifesick 'When Brutality Becomes the Language' (Black) T-Shirt printed on 100% cotton garment
Neckline: Crew Neck
Fit: Regular Fit
Sleeve Type: Short Sleeve
Material: Cotton
Colour: Black Garment
Garment Care: Machine wash at 30 degrees, wash inside out, don't bleach, dry low, don't iron decoration
