Cold as Life
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Detroit , United States |
| Products | Hardcore punk music |
Cold as Life is a hardcore band originating from Detroit, Michigan, established in 1988. Their songwriting addresses the brutal conditions of urban existence marked by corruption, violence, substance abuse, and poverty, as well as personal tragedies involving murder and addiction. Renowned for their aggressive and sometimes chaotic performances, they cultivated a loyal fan base throughout the Midwest's punk and hardcore communities. Their sound was shaped by influences such as Negative Approach, Sheer Terror, Discharge, 4 Skins, Cro-Mags, Black Sabbath, and Slayer.
History
In early 2007, a reunion tour took place featuring former members alongside Enzo D and Jake Bulldog, both from Detroit’s Dogz of War, who stepped in for co-founder Jeff Gunnells on vocals and guitar.
On June 4, 2013, Jeff Gunnells received a prison sentence ranging from 10 to 20 years due to an armed robbery conviction.
The band regrouped in 2015 and have performed intermittently since then.
In 2021, their first album Born To Land Hard saw its inaugural vinyl release through A389 Recordings.
October 2023 marked an official reunion with a Detroit concert sharing the stage with bands such as Madball, Integrity, and Terror. The current roster features Jeff Gunnells (vocals/guitar), bassist Craig Holloway, guitarists Matt Martin and John Music, along with drummer Jesse Wright.
That same year, their sophomore album Declination of Independence was remixed, remastered, and reissued by A389 Recordings with production handled by Taylor Young and Brad Boatright. Additionally, they released In Memory Of Rodney A. Barger 1970-1993, a collection of recordings spanning from 1988 to 1993.
Studio albums
- 1998: Born to Land Hard (CTYC Productions, +/- Records)
- 2000: Declination of Independence (CTYC Productions)
Splits
- 2001: Split with Ringworm (Stillborn Records)
Demos
- 1989: 1989 Demo
- 1991: 1991 Demo
- 1992: 1992 Demo
- 1995: 1995 Demo
- 1997: 1997 Demo
Compilation albums
- 2004: 1988–1993 (CTYC Productions)
- 2023: In Memory Of Rodney A. Barger 1970-1993 (A389 Recordings)
Non-album tracks
- 1996: Detroit Is Distraught Compilation – "How Much Longer"
- 1997: Feisty Cadavers and the Brotherhood (Idol Records) – "Live Like Vampires"
- 1999: Only the Strong Survive: 1999 (Victory Records) – "My Own Worst Enemy"
- 1999: The Spirit Lives On: A Tribute to Raybeez and Warzone (Hate Core Records) – "Fight the Opressor"
- 2007: United States of Hardcore (Hate Core Records) – "Pete's Sake (S.O.I.A.)"