Two years after reintroducing themselves to the rest of the world outside of their native Sweden with their Nuclear Blast Records debut Hate Yourself With Style, long running Stockholm based industrial/rap metal outfit Clawfinger are back with seventh full-length release Life Will Kill You. Recorded once again at the band's own Fear And Loathing Studios (Which is co-owned by fellow Swedish act Meshuggah), and self recorded, mixed and produced by the band themselves (Who now comprise of vocalist Zak Tell, guitarist Bärd Torstensen, bassist André Skaug, keyboardist/backing vocalist Jocke Skog and drummer Henka Johansson), Life Will Kill You doesn't stray too far from the style and sound that's become familiar to fans of Clawfinger, but for the most part, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The opening track The Price We Pay (Which is also the first promotional video clip filmed for the album) is a fast paced and heavy start to proceedings with the keyboards fleshing out the beefed up abrasive guitar work, while Tell's straightforward lyrical approach and vocal performance is as reliable as ever. The slower paced Life Will Kill You is as every bit as likable as the opener with the huge gang vocals on the chorus reinforcing Tell's simple message, while Prisoners and None The Wiser (Which features a riff that brings to mind Megadeth's Symphony Of Destruction) sees the band revert back to faster and more energetic tempos. Final Stand is certainly one of the album's more interesting numbers, with the middle eastern influences in the keyboards adding some weight to Tell's lyrical stance (Which takes the view of a religious extremist), while the captivating Little Baby is by far the most experimental track on the album, with programmed loops and guest female vocals giving the song a very disturbing vibe, before it all explodes towards the tail end.
Tell's vocals are given some enhancement on the lengthy The Cure & The Poison, which gives the song a slightly more melodic feel within the choruses, while the catchy pair of Where Can We Go From Here and It's Your Life proves Clawfinger's ability to write memorable hooks. Unfortunately, Falling doesn't quite match the previous tracks with the song obviously weak outside it's chorus, but thankfully Carnivore finishes up the album on a strong (And heavy) note.
Clawfinger aren't really venturing too far from what's expected of them on Life Will Kill You, but as long as that's all you expect, the album is another strong effort in a long line of consistent releases from the Swedes.