While widely considered being metal, Lifelover combined several genres into their sound, citing black metal, post-punk, alternative rock and dark ambient. With depressive lyrics, musicianship and atmosphere the band are credited for being one of the most influential depressive black metal bands of all time.
In June, 2005 a demo titled Promo 2005 was recorded but was never officially released. The recording of their debut Pulver began in April, 2006. LR and 1853 were recruited to the band and the album was finished in May, 2006 and later released by Goatowarex in July of that same year.
During 2007, H. also joined the band and the sophomore Erotik was released by Total Holocaust Records in February, 2007. In April, 2008, LR left the band and in June, Fix and S joined as replacements. The band performed their first live-show at Harry B James in Stockholm on September 28th, 2008.
Lifelover completed the work on their third album, Konkurs in June, 2008. It was released on October 10th, 2008 by Avantgarde Music. After the release, Osmose Productions reissued both Pulver and Erotik on CD format in 2009. Erotik was reissued on January 21st, 2009 and Pulver on May 7th and thus Lifelover's popularity grew. In April, 2009 1853 and S left the band respectively. Later in August of that year, Non took the place of S as the band's full-time drummer.
Their fourth official effort, the MCD titled Dekadens was released on October 8th, 2009 through Osmose Productions. Shortly after Dekadens's release and a few shows in Germany in January, 2010 Non left the band and 1853 rejoined. In April of that year, Non rejoined the band. On February 14th, 2011 Lifelover released their fourth and final album Sjukdom.
On September 10th, 2011 the band reported through their official Facebook page that band member B had died the previous day, stating: "We are very sad to report that yesterday our bandmate and brother B has passed away. The concerts today and tomorrow are still to be performed, but in a different form in his honor. This information is valid and, in its extreme sadness, true. A final statement with further details is to come."
Their last live performance took place in Rotterdam on September 11th, 2011 after which that the band decided to split up for good.
M/S Salmonella
Lifelover Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Det gör även spyan på toalettens vägg
Jag vandrar runt likt en zombie i tristessen,
Hela tiden möter jag nya ansikten, vilket stör mig
Bandaget stinker av sårvätska och var,
Men jag kan inte låta bli att lukta kontinuerligt
Vinden blåser kallt, och jag får lust att hoppa ned
Bland de krossade isbitarna
The lyrics to Lifelover's song M/S Salmonella paints a bleak yet vivid picture of a person experiencing the aftermath of excessive drinking. The first two lines suggest that the hangover from the previous day has not subsided, and the vomit on the bathroom wall serves as a constant reminder of the night before. The singer appears to be aimlessly wandering, feeling like a zombie in what seems to be a state of depression. The constant encounter of new faces seems to further agitate the singer's state of mind.
The third and fourth lines introduce a physical wound, probably caused by the previous night's activities, which appears to be infected and smelly. However, despite the unpleasant smell, the singer cannot stop smelling it. It's almost as if the singer is subconsciously trying to make sense of their current predicament. The fifth line mentions a cold wind blowing, which triggers a desire to jump into a pile of broken ice. The final line reveals that the singer has sent a postcard with the message "farewell" insinuating that the singer may not survive the current situation.
The song's lyrics are not the only element that creates a dark atmosphere; the instrumental part contributes to it as well. The use of distortion, unconventional chord progressions, and unconventional instrumentation adds to the overall sense of unease. The vocals are harsh, and the use of high screams seems to be characteristic of black metal music.
Line by Line Meaning
Baksmällan sitter kvar sedan gårdagen,
The hangover is still there from yesterday,
Det gör även spyan på toalettens vägg
Even the vomit on the bathroom wall remains
Jag vandrar runt likt en zombie i tristessen,
I wander around like a zombie in my boredom,
Hela tiden möter jag nya ansikten, vilket stör mig
I keep encountering new faces, which bothers me
Bandaget stinker av sårvätska och var,
The bandage reeks of wound fluid and pus,
Men jag kan inte låta bli att lukta kontinuerligt
But I can't help but continuously smell it
Vinden blåser kallt, och jag får lust att hoppa ned
The cold wind blows, and I feel like jumping down
Bland de krossade isbitarna
Among the crushed ice cubes
Jag har skickat dig ett vykort där det står: "Farväl"
I have sent you a postcard that says: "Farewell"
Contributed by Sydney E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cyber-something
Похмелье осталось со вчера
Как и рвота на стене туалета
В скуке я брожу повсюду, как зомби
Постоянно натыкаюсь на новые лица, и это пугает меня
От бинтов несёт сукровицей и гноем
Но я не могу устранить этот беспрерывный запах
Дует леденящий ветер, и мне хочется прыгнуть вниз
Среди осколков разбитого льда
Я послал тебе открытку с надписью "Прощай"
@TheSpeedstacks21
The Hangover remains since yesterday,
So does the vomit on the toilet wall
I walk around like a zombie in boredom,
The whole time I meet new faces, which disturbs me
The bandage reeks of exudation and was,
But I can not help but smell continuously
The wind blows cold, and I get the urge to jump down
Among the crushed ice cubes
I have sent you a postcard that reads: "Farewell"
@spointbror
Похмелье осталось ещё со вчерашнего дня,
От него меня рвёт на стену туалета.
Я слоняюсь повсюду, как зомби в своей бесчувственности,
Всё время я сталкиваюсь с новыми лицами, которые раздражают меня.
Повязка воняет сукровицей и гноем,
Но я не могу остановить этот постоянный запах.
Дует ледяной ветер, и мне хочется спрыгнуть
Между разбитыми кусками льда.
Я послал тебе открытку, в которой написано: "Прощай".
@neilduh
2:40.
I can really feel his agony in recording. It sometimes feels like nobody will understand the pain we go through, and sometimes screaming is the only way to express that.
@Eat_yourself
I cant scream
@willofra
@@Eat_yourselfit is difficult in first times
@liviu1266
Lifelover always reminds me of a friend, he was the only of my friends who also liked this band. We never agreed on one thing but we stayed friends and talked about our future and hopes. He had problems but I was sure he would overcome them. We kind of parted ways at a moment when he was satisfied with himself and happy. 2 years later (now), he chose to take his own life when nobody expected. We miss you dear friend.
@lutzie919
i'm sorry dude :(
@MaRKeR2012
Thanks for sharing the story of you and your dear friend. Stay strong.
@Nomad-du9rs
So sorry
@PastramiStaven
Lost one of my best friends in January 2½ years ago I know how it feels, sadly he just didn't get the help he needed and he choosed to end it. Stay strong bro.
@iamwhoiam7887
Heroes never die
@neverbloom8405
I love this. The way they combine disturbing DSBM with these sweet melodies makes it so unique and interesting.