Learn to love lyfe
Know Lyfe. An odd spelling for a fittingly strange band. But before memories of Mudvayne cloud your memories, sometimes a weak grasp of english allows the band to concentrate on their sound.
Tenuous links aside, Know Lyfe are a different slice of metal. To start with, it's almost irritating - their clean, almost American punk-esque vocals are matched up with some clever drumming and guitar work normally found on the most progressive of metals. Indeed, the first time the brutal vocals kick in at around two minutes into the first opus "Veins and Vines", it's a big shock to the system. Imagine The Vines suddenly getting really annoyed mid-song.
However, what really seperates Know Lyfe from their peers is their dedication to variation rather than sheer noise. Whilst there is a clear metalcore influence here, Know Lyfe prefer to use clever bass and drumming to sheer screaming and super fast drumming. The clean vocals coupled with growls sounds typical, but when it comes from these guys it's bizarrly unique.
For those still not convinced, Know Lyfe have an impressive history, supporting and playing with a huge selection of bands, from symphonic black metal juggernaughts Dimmu Borgir, through to goth superstars Lacuna Coil, stopping off with some nods to classic metalcore legends Every Time I Die. It's a strange but fitting selection - this band sound so versatile it works every time.
Know Lyfe's new release is sadly short, clocking in at under twenty minutes. However, the title track and the excellent "Petals for the Ones" make it worth any price. Pick this up now.