Blind Channel - Lifestyles of the Sick and Dangerous (Album Review)
Blind Channel - Lifestyles of the Sick and Dangerous
Released: July 8, 2022
Line Up:
Niko Moilanen // vocals
Joel Hokka // vocals, guitar
Joonas Porko // guitar
Olli Matela // bass
Tommi Lalli // drums
Aleksi Kaunisvesi // samples, percussion, DJ
Online:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Official Website
Metalcore/ nu-metal hybrid band Blind Channel are best known for representing Finland at Eurovision 2021, however they have been releasing albums since 2016, and Lifestyles of the Sick and Dangerous (a play on Good Charlotte’s Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous) is their fourth album, but first on a big label, Century Media Records.
Opening with ‘Opinions’ a song about their so-called overnight success and the after-effects of their Eurovision success (they came in 6th out of 42 countries) the song embraces the rap elements of the band, and despite its lyrical content of rebutting everyone’s opinions “I don’t want to hear your opinions…” it’s a fairly mellow song in its tone and mood. Following is ‘Dark Side’, aka the Eurovision song, and quite frankly, it’s still a banger; loud, ferocious and in your face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXEK-fc3_BU
Most recent single ‘Don’t Fix Me’ is next, a rock song, with dollops of rap sprinkled throughout, once again embraces the ‘I don’t give a f**k, I am who I am’ attitude that the band is wearing on its sleeve. Things take a step back with the soft, ambient ‘Bad Idea’, with its catchy chorus and laid-back charm. ‘Alive or Only Burning’ is pure metalcore, with its heavy, fuzzy guitars and breakdowns, melodic chorus and screams, and emotion. Continuing the defiant mood is ‘Balboa’, referring to the movie character, about keep coming back despite everything life throws at you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUBbzgH1eJE
The interlude ‘National Heroes’ takes aim at those who laud them as heroes, before segueing into ‘WE ARE NO SAINTS’ with a dancey, electronic beat melding with crunchy guitar riffs with the vocals and screams emphasising the fact that perception and reality are vastly different “people are evil… idols betray you… your heroes will fail you.” Incorporating more rap-pop elements, ‘Autopsy’ starts with violent imagery and ends with violent vocals, using symbolism to share what it’s like trying to establish themselves in the music industry.
‘Glory for the Greedy’ is nu-metal through and through, with its lyrics and chaotic sounds melding together exploring the band’s passion for music and how they’re not in it for the money. Finishing with ‘Thank You For the Pain’, which extrapolates on the previous song’s themes, the song has a slight operatic feel with the layered vocals, Finnish soundbites, and its use of keys, especially at the end.
Lifestyles of the Sick and Dangerous is a great reflection of Blind Channel and what they are about, the album incorporates nu-metal, metalcore, pop, rap, rock elements, sometimes all in the same song, much like their previous releases Revolutions, Blood Brothers and Violent Pop. The album literally has something for everyone, and that is why you need to check them out.
Blind Channel - Lifestyles of the Sick and Dangerous tracklisting:
1. Opinions
2. Dark Side
3. Don’t Fix Me
4. Bad Idea
5. Alive or Only Burning
6. Balboa
7. National Heroes
8. WE ARE NO SAINTS
9. Autopsy
10. Glory For The Greedy
11. Thank You For The Pain
Rating: 8/10
Lifestyles of the Sick and Dangerous is out this Friday on Century Media Records. Pre-Order here
Review by Carys Hurcom @Caryswos
