The band biographies on the Metal Blade Records website are impressively rich in historical and geographical detail. Each profile leaves you with a vivid sense of the era and atmosphere surrounding the artist – by the end, I almost feel prepared to defend myself with a sword. Nothing was held back in describing their new dark-hearted Danish adoption, Lifesick. The band is a euphoric measure in the realm of hardcore. They take masterful individual technique and raise the bar on the measures that American Hardcore kids are addicted to.
Their new album Loved By None, Hated by All hits hard with beautiful confidence in the basics of soul rejuvenating classic sounds (read my review here). The tracks are therapeutically organized with a few fancy and graceful surprises in between, but take the invitation a step further and update yourself on their entire discography. If you have not, you’ll stand to question what they have up their sleeve in future combinations. Every album up to this point is unpredictably sensational. Lifesick outlandishly demonstrates all the qualifications of Brian Slagel’s enchanted army of obliteration.
This week, Simon Shoshan, vocalist of Lifesick took time from his crazy schedule to impress upon me the chemical composition of brain matter that went into this well sharpened hacksaw of an album,
Hey Simon! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me about your new album. I blasted it yesterday from start to finish and I’m pretty sure my neighbors saw me exactly how I would like.
It sounds like you were inspired to demonstrate your aggressions very differently than in previous albums. For example, on Misanthropy you open up with the song Wolf Among Rats, which I would say sounds a lot like a slow moving serial killer having way too much fun. On this new album you burst open with Death Wish which honestly sounds like we’re no longer following the first rule of Fight Club.
What was the inspiration behind the very first track? How did you decide to organize this album? And how do you want it to be perceived above everything that you’ve put out prior?
First of all, thank you for giving it a listen.
I’ve personally always struggled with depression and anxiety, and this song was written during one of my lower periods. It’s mainly a self-loathing piece, expressing the frustration of not being able to start over with a new mind and less trauma.
The record is designed with vinyl in mind, with distinct first and second halves. We aimed to take listeners on a wild ride, with a dynamic range of aggressiveness from track to track, capturing the journey we envisioned.
This one is stripped down to the core of what Lifesick is all about. Our previous records each had a unique track, from instrumentals to country songs. But this one? It’s hardcore death metal from start to finish—the most no-nonsense record we’ve made so far. This is exactly the kind of album we wanted to create this time.
How has the transition onto Metal Blade been? How did the offer come about and do you feel inspired to do anything differently now that you’re part of Brian’s plan for hostile takeover?
We’re living the dream—no doubt about it. These guys are really taking care of us, and the professionalism behind the scenes is incredible. We’ve always worked our asses off to do our best, pushing our fundamentals further each year, and we’ll keep striving to improve for as long as we can. And now, with the big dogs backing us, world domination, here we come!
The album art seems to inspire as much as the songs it is coordinating with. Who’s behind the concept, and what is the story?
How do you picture loneliness and hopelessness? For me, it’s like an endless ocean with a single, lonely survivor—no land in sight, and no escape but down into the depths. I made a simple sketch of this idea, and the artist’s rendition turned it into a masterpiece, showing demons and angels fighting for his soul.
I’ve lived long enough to know that music is therapy and Hardcore is an antipsychotic. I know you’ve talked about the societal derivative of your music, the world is filled to the brim with people that brainlessly suck the life out of you with zero sense of consideration, to an absolutely maddening extent.
How has writing these songs brought you to a place of stability? Was there an experience you had where you were at the end of your rope, and found strength through music?
To be honest, I live for my daughter and this band. It’s hard to explain without sounding too dark, but these lyrics come from my lowest moments—they’re an outlet for my inner demons. For instance, the song “Liquid Courage” is about my struggle with alcohol abuse, written during a late night alone, drunk. Writing it helped me confront my demons and start to take control over them.
How would you describe the impact this sort of music has on your mental health, as a fan and also as a pack of touring musicians?
We’re hardcore kids who grew up with metal. For us, it’s more than just music—it’s about the people, the passion, and the mentality that fuels it. Life can be hard, and through music, we find an outlet. The people who share this passion often share the same mindset, making them some of the best people to be around.
From the song “legacy of misery”
“Hard men trapped by the blues.
We know the pain where right here too
We said goodbye and tied the noose
Your not alone in what your going through”
*What would you say to someone who is struggling with their mental health who has found a sense of belonging and maybe some peace through what you have created?
In your opinion, how is the music scene a good place for people to find strength? What was it like for you growing up?
It’s definitely the like-mindedness. Metal feels like the last safety net when you’re falling. School wasn’t easy for me as a kid with ADHD, navigating life without much guidance. I found my friends early in the punk and metal scene, and it’s the one place that truly feels like home.
What do you hope continues as a traditional element in your performance space specifically?
Always striving for improvement—more energy, more aggression, and even more raw emotion. Life goes on, which means there will always be new struggles and, inevitably, a new record. We rehearse constantly, even when there aren’t shows on the horizon, always pushing ourselves to be our best.
As far as the recording process, who was the engineer behind this new album? What did you enjoy most about the process?
Jacob Bredahl—the man behind the buttons! He’s been with us on every record so far. He knows us and understands the vision behind Lifesick, capturing the raw energy from the rehearsal room perfectly on each record. We’ve always loved working with him because he has a unique ability to make every band sound authentically like themselves. Working with Jakob feels more like hanging out with a friend than work.
This time around was there anything new that you tried different or anything you had specifically tried to avoid?
We aimed to keep the intensity high from start to finish—no acoustics, no clean vocals, just pure aggression all the way through. We like to push the boundaries of Lifesick and keep things interesting, but this time we wanted to show our roots. This record captures that perfectly.
Is it easy to coordinate with each other when you’re writing? How do you maintain healthy friendships that tie into the grace in your work?
Most of us have been friends for over 14 years, and some even longer. While we lead very different lives outside of the band and have distinct personalities, we share a deep passion for Lifesick and everything that comes with it. We trust each other completely. Much of our work is done separately, from riffs to grooves and lyrics, and then we bring it all together at the end. We listen to a wide variety of music that influences our writing—some of us lean toward thrash, others to death metal or hardcore. When we combine all these elements, we create Lifesick.
What is your favorite Track on the New Album, and why?
“Loved by None” holds a special place in my heart. It cheers me up every time I listen to it. The pure anger in that song really resonates with me, and I play it daily. We strive to create the music we want to hear ourselves, and this track hits the mark every time.
Finally, what are the tours coming up? When can we see you in the states?
We have a lot of shows lined up in Denmark and a Southeast Asia tour this December. We’re doing everything we can to make it to the U.S. next year. It’s a personal dream for all of us to tour the States and meet all of you. Don’t worry, we’re working on it!
Thank you for taking the time out of your day for us—it really means a lot.
Kind regards,
Simon “Lead Vocals”
LIFESICK
Tour Dates:
12/06/2024 Bangkok, TH @ Blueprint Livehouse
12/08/2024 Siem Reap, KH @ Atlantis Bar
12/09/2024 Penh, KH @ Cloud Bar
12/10/2024 Ho Chi Minh, VN @ 142 Tran Nao
12/11/2024 Kuala Lumpur, MY @ Petai Belalang
12/13/2024 Johor Bahru, MY @ The Rockin Jamz Hall
12/14/2024 Timoq, PH @ 88Fryer
12/15/2024 Quezon City, PH @ Unknown 13 Pub
12/18/2024 Bacolod, PH @ Tops Commercial Complex
12/19/2024 Davao, PH @ South Republic Live House
12/20/2024 Baguio, PH @ BGC, Bottle Grounds Cafe
12/21/2024 Tarlag, PH @ Frontway Music Restaurant
01/10/2025 Ballerup, DK @ Baltoppen
01/17/2025 Sønderborg, DK @ Sønderborghus
01/18/2025 Fredericia, DK @ Tøjhuset
02/07/2025 Aarhus, DK @ Headquarters
Feature Image Photo Credit: Allan Kristiansen
