Review LIFESICK ‘Love and Other Lies’ (EP)

Lifesick was formed in 2015 and hail from Frederica, a smaller town in Denmark. The band premiered a year later with an album called ‘6.0.1’. ‘Swept in Black’ followed in 2018 and it was ‘Misanthropy’ that found its way to the record stores in 2022. These release brought the band to the attention of Metal Blade Records, the label that will release with ‘Love and Other Lies’ a new EP from the Danish five-piece.

Lifesick has their musical roots in hardcore and metal. It’s a hybrid, the reflects some of the Scandinavian death metal heritage as well as it comes with hardcore-related grooves and breakdown.

The start into this EP though is slightly different than what one might expect. The song is heavy, just in a totally different fashion. ‘Every Unpleasant Emotion’ is emotionally heavy while staying musically acoustic and calm. The song is dark and very melancholic. If American folk and the sound of Nick Cave would unite, the result would sound similar than what you get offered by ‘Every Unpleasant Emotion’. Lifesick tested something new with this song, showing their musical openness without threatening the roots.

Things change with ‘Rude Awakening’ and ‘Reverse Birth’. ‘Rude Awakening’ is a brutal song with mighty riffs, a great grove, and great breakdowns. It’s a massive song that creates an excellent counterpart to the opener. And by the way; Lifesick invited a guest for this song. Fuming Mouth frontman Mark Whelan adds his part to this massive blast.

Last but not least there is ‘Reverse Birth’. It’s already the final track on this 3-songs release. Todd Jones (Nails) is the invited guest for this song, and it is another raging tune with freight train intensity.

Lifesick’s first release via Metal Blade Records is an interesting one as especially the opener offers a new aspect when it comes to the band’s sound. ‘Every Unpleasant Emotion’s fits perfectly int tot bands context and it’s the addition two songs that provide a return to the main trademarks of the band. It will be exiting to follow this young band to see where future development will lead them to.