The album's primary subject matter is hurt and loss. Mike Reisser is the act's singer, and his vocals vacillate between loud suffering screams, and more melodic pained expressions. The album's title cut is one of the album's most groove oriented. It actually sort of swings. When Reisser's vocals come in, though, all sense of a swinging good time disappears immediately.

Songs about hurt and loss are necessary. These can be a kind of balm for the ones performing them. For the listener, though, a little pain and suffering goes a long way. A tad more variety would have made Deathwish a much more rewarding experience.