Lifer may have gotten their first big break covering Limp Bizkit's "Nookie" on an MTV talent contest, under their then name Strangers With Candy, but the difference between their own sound and that which they covered, couldn't be further distanced. Using rich, haunting bass lines, vibrant guitars and a frontman who can easily slip through a variety of different ranges and styles, this effort can bring to mind the result of messy collision between the likes of Tool, Reveille, Snot, Stabbing Westward, Pantera and more.

Band frontman Nick Coyle's voice has a surprisingly wide range, sounding deeply melodic with a Maynard James Keenan like tinge, mixed with traces of devastating screams that bring to mind departed Snot vocalist Lynn Strait. There's also a small portion of aggravated rapping included, though the main focus of the vocals lie within smooth, almost hypnotic croons that are performed with a maturity and grace well beyond Nick's young years. Guitar wise the album is littered with clever riffs that rock out with a steady crunch, full of distortion and intensity, while also being able to spiral off into ambient territory, using tripped out tones and harmonics and even a few acoustic strums. Bass playing is quite combative, using heavy handed swats to scrape out a turbulent low end full of slow, roomy grooves that add a sense of underlying disdain. Meanwhile, the drum work laid down capitalizes upon its warm tuning with eagerly played snare hits and a style rife with ambitious rolls; concentrating on its role of being a backbone of the music, while inserting some momentum. There's also some turntables thrown in, though their demeanor is fairly humble and well integrated, using the occasional scratch to add color, rather than interrupt or steal the spotlight.

On the surface it would seem that Lifer were just another in a long line of derivative new metal bands, bolstering the occasional rap, turntables and the a lot of other elements that have become all to cliche. But upon further inspection, the full variety and different facets that this band are able to express themselves with really begin to step out. From the Pantera like stomp of "Heave" and the art rock feel of "Not Like You" to the modern metal grind of "Breathless" or the catchy rap metal stylings of "Boring", diversity is more than just a finer point of this bands craft, its their way of life. Sure there's a few things that could be criticized and there are a few songs that generate little momentum, but as a finished product, this album is quite a feast for the ears, with enough here to keep the listener coming back over and over, trying out each new flavor. As a band name, Lifer can seem a bit ironic, as the last thing they do is lock themselves down to one style. Yet with the talent and ability to excel in nearly any style they try, this debut could very well make anyone a fan for life.