Forward to Suffering is Lifeless's second album and provides a serving of dark music for the thinking man, in the form of mathematical, progressive death metal. Instead of the groove-fests and de-tuned grinding that characterize typical death metal, lighter harmonic rhythms and haunting, almost industrial-sounding keyboards create a work of technical musicianship and dark atmospherics. Impressively, the entire project is the child of one man, the super-talented Marc Kieffer, who growls, plays all the instruments, and handles all the keyboard and drum computer programming.
There are some interesting chords and rhythms which I haven't heard before, and some of the bass and programmed drum lines are especially cool. Conflicting time and tempo changes, often at the same time on different instruments, are impressive but a bit tiring. The musicianship is certainly excellent enough that no one will notice Lifeless is a one-man band. Having that knowledge, however, makes one aware of the similarities throughout the album. While Forward to Suffering exceeds many mainstream death releases, Kieffer still needs the input of other band members to provide a variety of ideas and song structures. There is a certain stiffness and in-bred quality to this album which could be overcome with the help of other talented musicians. The pacing is mostly the same throughout, and it would be preferable to hear a wider variety of moods, from peaceful near-silence to furious riffing.
Kieffer's vocals are ordinary death growls without variation, not too low and not too raspy, but unfortunately completely incomprehensible. That's too bad, because his thoughtful lyrics express a search for truth. Kieffer sings in English, but his incomplete mastery of the language muddles the meanings a bit. Still, images of rebirth and journeying/questing pervade his songs, with acknowledgments that man will be held accountable for his past errors and longs for a more spiritually fulfilling life. Although some of the lyrics on his last album, Belief, were openly positive toward a seemingly Christian notion of God, the lyrical vagueness and awkward phrasing here could be referring to totally different philosophies. It's hard to tell, but worth pondering.
Forward to Suffering should be a hit with metal fans who take enjoyment in difficult, boundary-pushing music. Unfortunately, there are quite a few other full prog-death bands out now with similar ideas to draw this reviewer's loyalty. Still a young man, Kieffer improves drastically with each release. His upcoming 1999 project, the ambitious double album The Reconciliation - The Third of a Trilogy, should be on an even higher level musically and lyrically. Visit his website for details.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Chris KingThis European metal band started in 1995 after Marc Kieffer's band, Bloodshed, broke up, and he decided to create Lifeless, a solo project, wherein he writes and plays all of the music. More information on the band's history can be found at the Lifeless home page. Describing a band's sound by referencing other bands should generally be avoided (I am personally wary of its misuse), but in some…Similar sounding releases
1997LamentTears of a Leper
1991TourniquetPsycho Surgery
1995MortificationPrimitive Rhythm Machine
1997Theocracy A.D.Welcome to our Island
1996EraseMental Overload
1998NecromanicideHate Regime
