Sjukdom

The last time I had the luxury of reviewing a Lifelover album, the outcome was highly disappointing, since I was hoping for an Erotik sound, but getting an even more mediocre Pulver sound.

Sigh…

Memories…yes, I remember the good days, sipping scotch and smoking a cigarette to the beautiful sounds of “Sweet Illness of Mine” and “Mental Central Dialog”. It was a depressing time, but a beautiful one. Those two words, in fact, are the two words that best describe the post-rock influenced black metal band from Stockholm. Fortunately, this time, I won’t bash this record at all, because it was goddamn amazing.

Remember Dekadens, the mediocre EP that was meant to tide you over since they had lost their drummer and hired a new one? I had said in fact, that this EP was unnecessary, and rather would have had them just wait. I retract that statement. Dekadens was needed to make you see the experimental side, which is what they moved farther towards, especially in this one. It’s not saying much to call Lifelover experimental or progressive, because that’s exactly what they are, but still, experimenting in an already experimental genre is kind of weird. Dekadens was showing that they could play strange(r), but still be good.

This album uses more of their Erotik sound (my heart fluttered as I typed that), but mixing that sound with both the follow up album, Konkurs, and their experimental album, Dekadens. It was awesome to hear them hit all sounds they have ever done. Soft? You got it on Expandera, arguably the most soothing track. Rough? Oh yeah - check out Svart Galla and Homicidal Tendencies (both which use really fast double bass and intangible screaming, thanks to Kim). The mix was weird, however, because it seemed to jump from emotion to emotion. Sad, happy, mad, sad, pissed, suicidal, homicidal, really joyous, sad…et cetera.

As following Konkurs, most of the tracks were either instrumental or had screaming. B rarely did his amazing clean vocals, which was a disappointment, but oh well, it was still great to hear Kim do more stuff. The drums were the only real new thing. Double Bass…in my Lifelover? I thought I was dreaming when I heard it, but I wasn’t. I had never heard them take this style. It was great.

Keyboards, guitars and bass followed the same suit as Konkurs and Erotik. Several guitar sounds, often doubletrack sounds, simplistic, but beautiful keys, bass being heard throughout, but fitting great with the guitar. It was an all around lovefest for the album.

I thoroughly enjoyed this (as if I haven’t already made that clear…). Pick up this record. It rivals the other two. Do it now, because I can see this selling fast.