After the moderate success of
Suicidal Tendencies' 1992 LP,
The Art of Rebellion, the Venice-based quartet decided to ditch the ballads and return to their patented rebellious thrash. With
Suicidal for Life, their follow-up album, they probably hoped for a return to underground credibility. But this album did little to retrieve credibility, and a lot to lose their growing fanbase. There's no debating,
Suicidal for Life, was not well received by their label. Even by
Suicidal Tendencies' standards, it's downright profane. Unfortunately, it's also not quite as effective. Unlike their earlier work, this collection exhibits little that could be considered revolutionary. Unless you consider foul-mouthed, posturing funk-thrash subversive. Gone is the social criticism of
Lightsâ?¦Cameraâ?¦Revolution, only to be replaced by self-absorbed tracks like
Don't Give a Fuck and
No Fuck'n Problem. This was especially disappointing, because lead vocalist
Mike Muir has many times proven himself as one of the most clever lyricists in the heavy metal genre. When separated from the lyrics, though,
Suicidal for Life isn't a bad album. The guitar solos are terse and pertinent, and the tempo and energy support the intensity of
Muir's vocals. It's an effective delivery, as the group's technical capabilities--which, in general, far exceed most comparable skater-punk bands--are placed on display more than on any other
Suicidal Tendencies album. For a release of misdirected anger and pointless frustration, the album works fantastically. Otherwise, look up the band's earlier work. ~ Kieran McCarthy
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