Spark Of Life hails from LA and has been around since the early 2000s. Their debut album dropped in 2003, but it took almost two decades to drop their newest album titled Plagued by the Human Condition. This album was released through New Age Records out of southern California, and it is worth checking out.
If you’re familiar with New Age Records, one would instantly assume this is a fast hardcore band, but they aren’t that easy to fit into a mold. They are a departure for the label with a melodic post-hardcore vibe. They perfectly blend screaming, singing, melodies, and a range of emotions. Spark of Life falls into the zone where melodic hardcore meets heartfelt punk storytelling. Think melodic-yet-scratchy vocals, chord-driven intensity, and lyrics that matter. If that resonates, give them a listen. You feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster throughout this full-length.
With 13 tracks that run a little over 39 minutes, this album is a masterpiece. For me, the highlights on this record include “Better Keep It To Yourself” (a head bopper with “whoas” you can’t help but sing along to), “No One Hates Me More Than Me” (probably the most emotional song on the album dealing with self-reflection), and “Waiting” (the perfect intense ending to the album). It does feature the cover song “Never Say Never” originally performed by the band That Dog -- which features longtime friend of the band and comedian, Fred Armisen, on drums. If you like post-hardcore, punk, hardcore and everything in between, this album will satisfy that itch.
