If you've already had a listen to Only Love and Death Change All Things, the new EP from Life of Deceit, you might be surprised by their stylistic origins. "We started off as GUNK and, honestly, with zero direction," vocalist Nolan told me about the metallic hardcore band's earlier incarnation.
"We bumped sludge metal bands like Grief and Noothgrush. At the time, there was an odd aura to it all—100% negative attitude, with everything given into it. Almost every practice, an argument would happen. I caught a fair share of cymbals to my ribs because of this [laughs]. When we slowly got out of that mood and started listening to more and more hardcore, it seemed like the missing puzzle piece to make what we actually wanted."
Proudly based out of the Jersey Shore, Life of Deceit's current approach is vicious in its delivery. When the band locks into a groove, the pulverising sound produces a hypnotic-like result along the way. "I’d describe us as not too far off from every band that says, 'we like to mix the old and the new, mannn, but I feel like we put a bit more passion into it than just recreating what’s been done before," said Nolan.
"Our influences come from all over the place. Our guitarist is classically trained and somehow loves both Gustav Mahler and Jesus Piece at the same time. Our drummer pulls from math rock and obscure slam bands that probably only three people in the world have heard of. Our bassist has an undefeated love for anything even slightly hardcore (though his heart belongs to Spazz).
"As for me, I have a special place in my heart for classic ’80s hardcore and late ’90s to 2000s metalcore—really anything with religious analogies, I gravitate toward. When I write lyrics, I try to make them as personal as possible, and nothing feels more personal than someone’s spirit, which often stems from their faith."
I asked Nolan about the songwriting on Only Love and Death Change All Things, and homeboy kept it humble. "I’ll start with the material from the rest of the band so I don’t sound like an ass. The growth I’ve seen in my friends/bandmates since our last EP—back when we were still called 'Gunk'—has been insane. In such a short time, there’s been a huge leap in the way we write. Honestly, it kind of makes us embarrassed about what we used to be. This time around, there’s a much heavier metalcore influence—massive, triumphant, and evil-sounding riffs—without losing that fast-paced, posi-core energy.
"Lyrically, I just try to channel whatever my 15-year-old brain decides is meaningful. Whether it’s something simple like PMA or letting go of a close friend, it’s always something I can speak on honestly. Going deeper, I touch on how the modern world defiles the Earth, and how faithful values are tossed aside for the quickest route to pleasure. I couldn’t write any of this in good faith if I didn’t care about it."
For the release of Only Love and Death Change All Things, Life of Deceit connected with Jay of Bayway, who released the EP through his Bayway Records label. "If you’re digging into the roots of the connection, it all ties back to when Human Blister recorded their first release with Jay at his studio. Human Blister includes both our drummer and guitarist, and they spoke so highly of the experience that it just made sense for Life of Deceit to work with him too.
"Even before recording with him, we already knew about Jay’s presence in the scene. Those Bayway shows at Salty’s were legendary and were the first time I felt like I was actually part of a scene—something bigger than just a bunch of people wailing on each other—even though that’s fun too [laughs]."
Yes, things are moving along nicely for Life of Deceit, and Nolan and his bandmates have their local hardcore community in their corner now. "It may sound corny but the only real plan is to keep playing music we love for people who connect with it. Now that we’ve got support from Jay and some newly found friends, we’re finally getting a push into a scene we’ve wanted to be part of for so long.
"Before, we just didn’t have the connections. Whether that lack of connections comes from our homes in forgotten towns on the Jersey shore or because of lack of talent it up for you to decide."
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Only Love and Death Change All Things is available now across all digital music outlets, and on CD, via Bayway Records.
Life of Deceit on social media: Instagram
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