Loved By None, Hated By All

vote
7.0

• Bands:
  LIFESICK
• Duration: 00:35:00
• Available from: 01/11/2024
• Label:

• Metal Blade Records

Streaming not yet available

The Danish group makes its debut for Metal Blade Records with a record that confirms the sounds of the previous appointments, that is to say a very frank hardcore-metal, at times exquisitely ignorant – so much so that it almost borders on beatdown genres – but punctually wrapped in a more metallic production and rough, reminiscent of the classic Entombed Swedish death metal sound (later adopted by American bands such as early Black Breath, Nails and Trap Them). The peculiarity of Lifesick essentially lies here, that is, a sound with a purely hardcore soul, with a boldness that evokes border urban environments – although the small town of Fredericia at first glance does not inspire who knows what disadvantaged situation – fused with a sound performance that knows lots of Nordic death metal.
The production, entrusted to Jacob Bredahl (former frontman of Hatesphere) and perfected by the increasingly sought-after American producer Taylor Young (Xibalba, Nails, Kruelty), is precisely the red thread that runs through and sews together the two souls of the group, with the classic chainsaw guitars combined with a very loud vocal section, always ready to remind us that this is first of all a work that comes from the street.
The hints Slayerians of “Death Wish” open hostilities with the right verve, kicking off a tracklist that hits the mark especially at the height of concise episodes like “Double Cross” and “Loved by None”.
At times there is the feeling that the band does not have an adequate range of ideas and registers to support some of the longer compositions, which prevents the album from completely elevating itself; however, the quintet still manages to compensate with tight dynamics and a series of tracks which, while not always shining with inventiveness, on balance know how to make more than a smile out of the listener.
Overall, “Loved By None, Hated By All” therefore does not betray expectations: it is clearly not a work that wants to reinvent the genre, but a sortie that already from the title celebrates fury and revenge, without ever bothering to look elsewhere or make yourself accessible.
In short, Lifesick continue to build their own coherent path in the hardcore-metal scene, consolidating their identity and demonstrating that, despite some small repetitiveness, they are a force to be reckoned with. Now it is likely that the support of an important label like Metal Blade will be able to make him make some further progress in terms of gaining a hold on the public.