Lifelover - Konkurs

In recent years, the shoegaze black metal scene has become something that cannot be ignored.  Bands such as Alcest and Les Discrets have in some ways, put the subgenre on the map, and now, other bands are beginning to follow.  One of those bands is Sweden’s Lifelover, though they are not newcomers to the metal scene, they are just now getting recognized in some circles.  A recent deal with Prophecy Productions also included a re-release of their 2008 album Konkurs, which was a wise move in getting listeners familiar with the band.

Konkurs, which is Swedish for bankrupt, is anything but, as Lifelover demonstrates its ability to go from raw black metal to the more somber shoegaze style, sometimes within the confines of a single song.  Its bizarre persona is exemplified in the band’s choice of personal monikers (e.g. 1853 handles additional vocals and speech), as well as having its members handle “speech” duties for the band.   For all of the outside façade however, Lifelover is very proficient in putting all of the elements together for an enjoyable listen.  The black metal influences are best heard on songs such as “Shallow” and “Brand,” while the shoegaze influences are most evident on songs such as “Stängt p.g.a. Semester” and “Bitter Reflektion.”  The vocals can be raw at times, especially on the black metal parts, but there is also considerable range, as it can be as calm, yet somber to fit within the shoegaze style.  The guitars add to the sound with its own raw sound that can make Konkurs feel like a walk through a swamp.  The sampling on the album sounds out of place on some songs, but that is one thing that makes Lifelover stand out: its willingness to do things outside of a set of rules for a genre.  Konkurs is an album that requires patience to truly grasp what is going on with the album.

On the surface, Lifelover looks like a band that plays an unusual brand of black metal.  That’s only part of the story, as the “unusual” brand of black metal is also tinged with the somber stylings of the shoegaze subgenre.  They aren’t new to the scene, which is evident on Konkurs, and thanks to a re-release, most listener will know what the few already know about Lifelover.

Re-release Date: January 11, 2011
Label: Prophecy Productions

TRACK LISTING

1.  Shallow
2.  Mental Central Catalog
3.  Brand
4.  Cancertid
5.  Konvulsion
6.  Twitch
7.  Narcotic Devotion
8.  Alltid – Aldrig
9.  Stängt p.g.a. Semester
10.  Original
11.  Bitter Reflektion
12.  Mitt Annexia
13.  Spiken I Kistan
14.  En Tyst Minut

Total playing time:  59:03

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*Comments:

Reviewer: Peter

March 8, 2011

review_lifelover_konkurs