Released 2006 Recorded 2004 Length 4:23 | Format Christian radio Genre Post-hardcore Label Gotee, Capitol | |
"Life After Death & Taxes (Failure II)" is a song by Relient K, from their fourth album Mmhmm. It was released as a Christian radio single in late 2006.
It is a sequel to the song "Failure to Excommunicate" from the band's second album The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek. At the end, it includes a string quartet excerpt from that song. Both songs include solos by drummer Dave Douglas.
The end of "Failure to Excommunicate" has the same string quartet music, but with more quirky noises in the background. "Life After Death and Taxes" has the static and hold-out from the last guitar chord, underlying the fact that the latter is a darker, more serious song.
Like "Failure to Excommunicate" this song is about and contains Christian themes, like Heaven, death, and Jesus Christ's help and comfort in times of pain. "Life After Death and Taxes" is more of a closer to "Failure to Excommunicate." Where "Failure to Excommunicate" says, "You know it's the world versus Jesus and you," while "Life After Death and Taxes" says, "Never forget... death and decay can't touch us now," instilling a more sure feel to the somewhat open-ended song "Failure to Excommunicate."
The screamed vocals are performed by David Bunton of the Christian death metal band The Showdown.