Review LIFESICK “Loved by None, Hated by All”

It is rare to find artwork that matches the music and lyrics as well as this release from Denmark. Lifesick release their fourth album these days and some lost souls surround the castaway. This illustration is symbolic for an album that starts with a song called “Death Wish”.

“Loved by None, Hated by All” is the title of a release that contains songs with sad stories told in an angry manner. “Death Wish” is the scene-setter. With massive beats and powerful riffs, the songs reveal the hardcore/groove metal fusion that the Danes offer. In a way, the album tells stories about life from a personal angle and with a wider perspective. Depression, anxiety and mental health issues are addressed on this album, with furious tracks like the punk-driven ‘Double Cross’ being the outlet for all these accrued emotions.

This release bursts with energy and at the same time exposes the vulnerability of the human condition through songs that contain a lot of anger and rage. Take the brutal “Legacy Of Misery” for example.

Compared to some of the other tracks, the tempo of this song is rather moderate, and it’s thefollowing “Poems for my Misery” that slows down even more. Instead, the song develops into a groovy riff monster, which could become quite relevant during the band’s live shows, as it is made for massive pits.
Speaking of tempo, ‘Loved by None’ is a change of gear. It’s a smoking hardcore/punk hybrid that roars out of the speakers, while the combination with some grooving moments creates a superbly made field of tension.

“Loved by None, Hated by All” is an album that has no brakes. This release is an emotional blast, a sonic turmoil about the lows of human life. It’s a longplayer of songs that stare into the abyss of the human soul, forged during a 10-day recording session. “Loved by None, Hated by All” is an honest and personal album that doesn’t sugar-coat anything. It is authentic and real.