Love and Death began with the similar raw, authentic emotional honesty that drove singer/guitarist Brian “Head” Welch to multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning heights as a co-founder of genre trailblazers Korn. Forged as an outlet for recovery and redemption in a season of change, the formation of Love and Death resulted in the dynamic 2013 debut Between Here & Lost. The album spoke plainly to the hearts of similarly disenfranchised fans all across the world.
Love and Death now return with Perfectly Preserved, a crushing yet accessible full-length follow-up, driven by the spiritual resilience inherent in the first record, combined with an even starker depiction of real-life struggle. Anger, broken relationships, lowered self-worth, and the collision of optimistic values with oppressive systems are all on display, from the arresting refrains of “Tragedy,” “Death of Us,” and “Affliction,” to the bold, conqueror driven anthem of “White Flag.” Simply put, it is heavy music to vigorously confront depression, heartbreak, and pain.
Perfectly Preserved marks the introduction of guitarist, bassist and co-songwriter Jasen Rauch as a full-fledged member of the band, as well as second time producer for Love and Death (co-production from Joe Rickard). Jasen, best known as an integral part of chart-topping rockers Breaking Benjamin, produced Love and Death’s first album in 2013. Completing this definitive lineup as they charge into this new chapter are the band’s original guitarist, JR Bareis, who now shares vocals with Welch, and powerhouse drummer Isaiah Perez.
Much like A Perfect Circle or Stone Sour, Love and Death isn’t a “side project” or replacement for the guys’ respective bands. It’s an extension and companion, offering each of them a unique outlet to explore different aspects of their creative passions.
It’s also an opportunity for further collaboration with their friends from other bands. “The Hunter” features Jasen’s Breaking Benjamin bandmate (and solo artist) Keith Wallen, who was also a major co-writer on the project, and longtime comrade and former Flyleaf singer, Lacey Sturm lends her vocals to a metallic rendition of a surprising pop cover.
As their fans have learned to expect, Love and Death are fearless in their open examination of contradictions and failure, making confessional music with an underlying anchor of purpose and hope. Like the band’s very moniker suggests, both ‘Love’ and ‘Death’ are very present in all that they do.
‘Perfectly Preserved’ comes out this Friday, February 12th. To celebrate the album release, the band are also streaming a global concert event, the first time they have performed together in over 8 years. Tickets are available from Loveanddeath.veeps.com and the show will be available for 48 hours after it’s initial broadcast on February 12th.
