Following up with where their well received 99 demo left off, Life Hates Me have returned with their full length debut and included on it are 11 solid tracks of blistering new metal, complete with twisting emotional breakdowns and tripped out guitar effects. Abrasive and powerful, the group deliver punch after punch with a sound that is vaguely reminiscent of Spineshank on their first effort "Strictly Diesel", yet it also features a more organic touch and loose song structures that make it sound almost like an evolved version of Korn's older work.

Animated vocals violently lash out and fade back into complacency as each word is spoken, while crunchy distorted guitar riffs sprinkled with spiraling effects carve and churn, nearly inducing vertigo with each bending note. Disciplined with rapid frenzied attacks, the guitar quickly jumps in the listeners face just as fast as it leaps away into the background with obscure squeals, equally matching the turbulence exhibited by the throaty scream laced vocals. Some color is also thrown in the form of vocal effects while band front man Sean carefully tip toes between reckless emotion and manic aggression. Meanwhile, the rhythm section fills out the bottom with thick downtuned bass lines and a resilient snare that shatters the groove with each jagged hit.

The disc starts off with the tried and true explosion of the track "Swell", which was also included on their previously released demo and instantly brought the band attention. Unfortunately though, since that time, the rest of the material included in the bands bag of tricks hasn't really evolved nor does it show as much promise as the aforementioned song does. Not to say this album or the band is bad, but its a shame they don't write more songs that indulge in the diversity shown in tracks like "Swell", as it would make for a much more compelling listen overall. But such as it is, the album is a solid listen, yet it doesn't really offer anything that feels fresh or innovative, making it good for an occasional play, but not something that you would want to put on every day. Perhaps aptly titled "Imperfections", this release does have its flaws, but it also does have its positive aspects, although neither of them seem to outweigh each other. Hopefully though, when the band hits the studio next time around, they will be able to expand upon their already solid song writing skills and flourish them with more creativity to give way to something that no one will be able to hate.
(3 / 5)