"Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" is a song by American rock band Godsmack. It is the second single from the band's fifth studio album, The Oracle.
Sound
Shannon Larkin mentioned that "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" is one of his favorite songs from The Oracle, stating "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain is special to me because I feel it has a different sound for the band, and it was a song that Tony and I put together many years ago, and honestly never imagined it being picked for a Godsmack record. When Sully put the lyrics and melody to it, it was like seeing a child grow up."[1]
Release
The single made its way to radio stations in the United States on July 12, 2010.[2]
On April 6, it was released as the first song from The Oracle, giving the fans the opportunity to download it through iTunes.[3]
Track listing
Digital single
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Length
1.
"Love-Hate-Sex-Pain"
Sully Erna
5:15
CD single
No.
Title
Writer(s)
Length
1.
"Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" (radio edit)
Sully Erna
4:20
2.
"Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" (album version)
Sully Erna
5:15
Reception
Critical
The song has received positive reviews. Chris Akin from PitRiff.com praised the song, stating "This song might be the closest thing to a 'twist' that you get on The Oracle. A rare balladic number, this song showcases a much more musical direction than Godsmack has ever taken in the past. Sounding more like a mid-tempoed Alice In Chains song than what they've been known for." He added, "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain could very well be the song that reaches the most people."[4] Reviewer Greg Maki from Live-Metal.net described the song as "one of The Oracle's bright spots".[5]
Aaron Titan from 411mania.com commented that "This was one of the other songs that the band leaked out ahead of the album's release and it's kind of a different route for Godsmack", adding "Very introspective feel to it, and it kind of jams with these Alice in Chains-style melancholy guitar chords that reek of despair until it hits the pendulum chorus that has some of the most simple yet interesting guitar work we've gotten from Tony Rombola in quite a while."[6]
With "Love-Hate-Sex-Pain" appearing on the Billboard Alternative Songs, Godsmack stood as the act with the most appearances on the chart without reaching the apex until 2011. The single is Godsmack's 19th charted title at the format. The band has peaked as high as No. 6 with "Voodoo" in 2000.[9] Metal band Korn would later break the record in 2011.
