B-Side Guys

Hardcore has always operated at the intersection of external aggression and internal excavation. Lyon-based quartet Lifeboats occupies this territory with gripping intensity on “Old Habits,” a track that preserves the genre’s essential ferocity while venturing into more vulnerable psychological terrain.

The composition establishes its central tension immediately—tight, precision drumwork creates forward momentum while discordant guitar lines generate atmosphere that feels simultaneously claustrophobic and expansive. This instrumental foundation perfectly complements the lyrical exploration of addiction’s grip: “I know I can’t accept/This thing that makes me sick/It wants control.” The production captures both clarity and grit, allowing each instrumental voice distinct presence without sacrificing the collective impact.

What separates Lifeboats from typical hardcore outfits is their strategic incorporation of melody amid the maelstrom. The refrain “On and on I’m on my own again” provides crucial breathing room—a moment of relative calm before plunging back into turbulence. This approach creates dynamic variation that mirrors the cyclical nature of destructive behavior patterns described in the lyrics.

The vocal performance warrants particular attention for its expressive range. From throat-shredding intensity on lines like “I can’t take these bad habits” to more measured delivery during bridge sections, the vocalist navigates emotional extremes with convincing authenticity. These tonal shifts reflect the composition’s thematic exploration of control versus surrender—the perpetual struggle between rational awareness and compulsive behavior.

Despite the track’s unflinching examination of personal demons, there’s an underlying current of collective catharsis. When the lyrics declare “This is our choice, this is what we fight for,” the shift from singular to plural perspective transforms individual struggle into shared experience. This communal dimension reflects hardcore’s enduring function as musical exorcism—a space where confronting darkness becomes ritualistic release.

For a band that made their debut alongside genre veterans Counterparts, “Old Habits” demonstrates remarkable confidence and distinctive voice. The incongruity of their self-described “flower vibes” and “big smiles” against their sonic intensity creates fascinating tension—suggesting a band that understands hardcore’s capacity for containing multitudes rather than reinforcing one-dimensional aggression.

The track’s final repeated mantra “I will keep it away from me” leaves listeners with appropriate ambiguity—neither promising easy victory nor surrendering to defeat. This refusal of simple resolution mirrors life’s ongoing battle with destructive patterns—a struggle that requires perpetual vigilance rather than definitive conquest.