Is there any reason to not expect a killer record with crushing breakdowns, fast riffs, and bizarre samples when The Great Deceiver is present? Heaviness is the sole recipe here; everything is based around hammering guitars with deep, technical percussion underneath it all. Also, the constant application of samples lifts up the record's overall sound due to the colorful addition of the computerized samples. Honestly, there's nothing but fantastic material to be found here.

One thing is definitely for sure when the day ends: Tomas Lindberg is still the best harsh vocalist ever! The ex-At the Gates frontman still has the extreme shriek-laden process that comes out during every waking moment of this CD, and he sounds fantastic doing it. Lindberg's performance is made up of loud and intense shrieks strolling warmly with his custom low growls that he acquired during his days in Grotesque. The overall combination of these two components makes Life is Wasted on the Living one of Lindberg's strongest efforts to date; it is a truly amazing voice this legendary man has.