It’s been a turbulent year for straightedge moshers Liferuiner. After releasing No Saints, arguably the heaviest hardcore album of 2007, the singer was kicked out for allegedly having sex with a minor, then a label change and then fill in singer Danny Surjanac and drummer Shane Tyrer were recently arrested for 28 counts of graffiti.
There’s also been some changes musically, as gone is the uber hefty production from Ion Dissonance’s Antoinne Lussier, replaced with Jamie King and gone are the humorous samples that littered No Saints, replaced with more serious samples. Then of course, former vocalist Johnny OC is not around for this album (though there are rumors circulating at late as this weekend that he is back in the band floating around), and Taking Back the Nightlife seems to have a lot of anger directed at their former singer, who wasn’t exactly sticking to the straight edge mantra while bellowing hymns of a straight edge lifestyle on the debut.
What hasn’t changed is the sheer tangible heft that Liferuiner exude. Arguably only topped by The Acacia Strain’s Continent, Taking Back the Nightlife is a punishing, rumbling exercise in E chord devastation, that’s simple yet effective and quite simply one of the heaviest hardcore acts around. Admittedly, vocalist Danny Surjanac isn’t the vocal presence that Johnny OC was on No Saints, but he’s not (allegedly) nailing underage (apparently only in the US) kids.
Musically, even with a slightly less stout Jamie King production, Liferuiner are still a rumbling, force of nature when it comes to simple, resonant breakdowns and thunderous bass drops. Tracks like opener “Doug Burns to Death”, “megaDEATH”, “Headbang Over”, “Ameranthine”, and especially vitriolic hidden track “Suck My Dick” (after a prolonged silence),are just simply pummeling. However, I personally think No Saints, pedo singer and all, is the superior and heavier record, which I still play regularly much to my neighbors chagrin.
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I definitely want to get their first album.
Haha, I have to say though, I am so confused by the line-up changes, and whatnot.
You said a lot more than I knew of the band.
But, I enjoyed the review. I’ll check out the first album though.
on Jul 30th, 2008 at 8:13 amWelcome Adam, and thanks for the nice words in the Hereafter An Odyssey review
on Jul 30th, 2008 at 8:48 amMan I had heard these guys were pretty heavy, but given the fact that they have a song titled “suck my dick” pretty much guaranties I won’t be checking em’ out. I’m just as guilty of being as “scene” as the next metalhead and I like me some hardcore/deathcore/whatever just like everyone else (even if they won’t admit it) but these bands need to start finding some vocalists who can actually form sentences and write them without using every foul word they can think of.
I actually bought the new Emmure record, but after reading the lyrics I can’t see myself listening to it much. It’s some of the stupidest stuff I’ve ever heard. I don’t care how brOOtal you are if you write lyrics like a mad 5th grader.
on Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:01 amIm pretty sure the “Suck my Dick” song is directed at the former vocalist.
Either way The Acacia Strain’s Continent blows this and teh Emmure away. So goddamn heavy.
on Jul 30th, 2008 at 9:39 amMy name is Greg Moore, I manage liferuiner.
Lets get a few things straight. Jonny oc IS the vocalist on this record. Danny filled in for 10 shows, two months after the record was recorded in January 2008. Just look at the liner notes…
Jonny has never been charged with anything in his entire life and the rumors were proven false MONTHS ago with the originator publicly admitted to making them up.
Glad I could clear this up.
ALSO, be on the lookout for a new record in early 2009…bringing the sound back to no saints and the liferuiner demo.
on Jul 30th, 2008 at 1:22 pmI’m guessing that “suck my dick” is in no way related to the old Carnivore song. I’m also guessing Aaronius has never heard Carnivore, I think the “Retaliation” lyrics would make his head spin!!!
on Jul 30th, 2008 at 5:16 pmYou’re an idiot, if you’re going to reveiw something atleast have your facts straight. That’s me on the new and old record and I quit the band because my mother was dying of cancer. I changed my vocals because it felt more comftorble and natural instead of forcing anything. Suck my dick was the first song ever written by liferuiner as a joke.
good day.
on Jul 30th, 2008 at 7:29 pmThanks Greg and Johnny for clearing all that up guys. I apologize-you might have your label and pr folks have such information more publically availibale to the media, with the press sheet or maybe even in the CD. i looked all over to try and see the line up and could not find it, and never found anything to refute the rumors. My review is based on the facts at the time. calling me an idiot doesnt really take away from the other rumors ive read about you which i left out. Either way, vocals are much weaker on this.
on Jul 31st, 2008 at 7:27 amFuck this dumbass band. Saw them in Toronto, about 25 minutes of bullshit tough guy posturing before the show got shut down.
on Jul 31st, 2008 at 4:09 pmim not sure if that really is the singer from liferuiner but if it is, wow fuck him what an unprofessional asshole. grow up and stop playing shitty myspace breakdown hardcore aimed at 15 year old high school kids.
on Jul 31st, 2008 at 11:53 pmjohnny looks like andy milonakis lol
on Aug 1st, 2008 at 4:24 pmterrible bad and lol @ “manager” and “johnny”.
this band is god awful, their songs suck, their lyrics suck, everything about them sucks. oh, and johnny’s fat as shit.
on Aug 12th, 2008 at 8:53 pmI couldn’t give less of a shit about rumors about the band members, but it is nice to know that the vocalist is the same on this one, so thanks for clearing that one up guys. Anyhow, I didn’t think this one was as good as “No Saints” initially, but over time I have to say it’s a superior record. Songs like “You Look Better When You’re Drunk” and “You Use Dirt as a Metaphor for Life” and the title track and “Bad Rock Anthem” by far lay to waste anything on the first album, for me. Also “Suck My Dick” is hilarious and probably my favorite song on the album.
on Sep 17th, 2008 at 1:10 amheaviest hardcore album of 07? you must not get out much.
on Nov 4th, 2008 at 6:31 pmjust to clear things up, the website you posted is wrong.
http://www.myspace.com/xlifexruinerx
on Nov 5th, 2008 at 1:56 am