Finland’s 2021 Eurovision heroes Blind Channel have had a monumental rise since they burst onto the stage in Rotterdam with their middle fingers up. Despite finishing 6th with 301 points, the band had already started making waves in the metal scene with their unique brand of post-hardcore, something that they have classified as “Violent Pop”. Following on from 2020s Violent Pop, Blind Channel continue to explore the themes of heartbreak, pain and brokenness with high energy, incredibly catchy pop melodies, anthemic harmonies and big riffs. Lifestyle Of The Sick & Dangerous cements the band’s place in the upper echelons of modern metal.
The band’s philosophy of “Rohkea rokan syö” (“Fortune Favours The Brave”) once again stands loud and proud on Lifestyle Of The Sick & Dangerous, bringing a melody packed brand of ferocious nu-metal outside the confines of the Finnish language and into the hearts of the world. With ruthless ambition in full force, and the band’s statement of intent for world domination is summed up in the final verse of ‘Glory For The Greedy’ with the line “We’ll be sending you flying kisses from Wembley”. Continuing their exploration of brokenness and the assortment of emotions that surround it, alongside the modern day misery that has consumed the world in recent times, the band fully embrace their influences from metal, pop and hip-hop alike. Lifestyle Of The Sick & Dangerous demonstrates that they have more to offer outside of the Eurovision crowd pleaser ‘Dark Side’. In an album full of infectious hooks and anthemic riffs and an innate ability to grab you by the scruff of the neck with hard hitting lyrics, Blind Channel once again give us a riotous and unforgiving clout of their self styled “Violent Pop”.
Pummelling drums meet soaring synths throughout this album, alongside the captivating melodies and harmonies that give way to frantic, no holds barred rapping from Niko Moilanen. Opening up with ‘Opinions’ the band’s intent is clear, the direct and honest lyrics transcend this album. With themes dealing with personal struggles, Lifestyle Of The Sick & Dangerous is an album that doesn’t hide from its pain, it confronts it with inspired controlled aggression, which will offer up a form of catharsis for many listeners. ‘Dark Side’ is obviously a stand out track but in the context of the album it is seen with a new perspective. Whilst it’ll no doubt pump you up with its chanted hook, it lyrically hits harder when put alongside ‘Don’t Fix Me’, ‘Bad Idea’ and ‘Autopsy’. ‘Balboa’ will no doubt have already made its way onto gym playlists world wide, alongside ‘We Are Not Saints’ it feels anthemic and crushing. Overloaded with gigantic riffs and screeching synths its definitely a song that would send a venue audience into a circle pit frenzy. It is also a song about hope, dusting yourself off and not letting your obstacles defeat you. Whereas ‘We Are Not Saints’ capitalises on that famous melody ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’, which will rouse an emphatic response at home in your room as well as in a live environment.
With an ambition to prove that they have more to offer than one hit wonders, Lifestyle Of The Sick & Dangerous is Blind Channel’s biggest sounding album to date, eclipsing previous album Violent Pop and then some, by doubling down on their contagious energy and captivating songwriting. Their ambition and determination is incredibly tangible, it would have been very easy to ride the success that comes from a Eurovision finals appearance, but Blind Channel didn’t rest on their laurels and have raised the nu-metal bar to whole new heights with this album.