Lifer

Lifer forges a fresh strain of weighty metal by channeling the bleakest currents of alternative metal, where themes of inner turmoil collide with slashing guitar textures, punishing percussive force, and lyrics that probe the psyche. Formed in Wilkes Barre, PA, at the start of 1999, vocalist Nick Coyle, guitarist Aaron Fink, bassist Mark James, and drummer Chris Lightcap initially operated under the name Strangers with Candy and concentrated on cover material as a four-piece. By the close of that year the lineup expanded to five members with the arrival of DJ Tony Kruszka. Months afterward the band entered MTV's Ultimate Cover Band Contest with a rendition of Limp Bizkit's "Nookie." Their commanding showing rapidly built a national audience and drew notice from record executives. Following the appearance of the seven-song EP No Fate, recognition widened further, prompting the group to adopt Lifer as its definitive title. With Rush's Alex Lifeson enlisted to produce, the band tracked its first full-length effort. The resulting self-titled debut Lifer arrived in stores in 2001, earning strong critical notices and expanding the group's following. Late that same year, however, both Mark James and Aaron Fink departed to join Breaking Benjamin, after which Lifer disbanded.