Life Abuse

Reviews

Life Abuse Systematization LP

Metallic crust from a veritable supergroup, featuring ex-members of LIMP WRIST, DEVOID OF FAITH, and LIBYANS, to name a few. Hard to imagine a band with such a pedigree not delivering. No surprise, Systematization is a beast of an album. There are hints of Swedish hardcore melodies and a tinge of shredder metal lurking beneath the surface, but it’s synthesized in a very natural, coherent way. I’m reminded of 3-WAY CUM and EXTINCTION OF MANKIND, but with vocals that lean a bit more hardcore than guttural. Ten tracks of sheer brutality, made to be played loud and often.

Life Abuse / Skrewball split EP

The artwork for this record plays up the UK/US divide of the two featured groups, with Death himself cradling crucial governmental architecture in each of his bony hands, but Crew Cuts could have just as easily made it a newjack/oldhead thing. I suspect I’m right in saying most of LIFE ABUSE have been playing hardcore since before most of SKREWBALL were born: there is some hefty pedigree in the former band, which makes it extra cool that they’re on board here. Their two songs don’t much resemble any of DAS OATH, SELF DEFENSE FAMILY, LIMP WRIST, or LIBYANS (to list four of many more), but “Divide and Conquer” is a pretty rad bombastic rocker with a guitar sound somewhere between goth, metal, and anarcho. The shorter “Ambushed” sets the tone for SKREWBALL from Plymouth, who bring the early NYHC style mosh parts—with a buoyant, as opposed to meatheaded, vibe—and lyrics about animal liberation and crooked cops.