Labels: Self-Released/EVIN Productions
Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital
Release Date: 31 Jan 2025
Tracklist:
1. Built on a Grave
2. Slaughterhouse
3. Expedition
4. Dark on Both Sides
5. Suicide Song
6. Final Lap
7. After Goliath
8. Origami God
9. Only Shackles to Lose
10. Breathe In. Breathe Out.
Nearly three years have passed since I reviewed Revenge At All Costs, the 2022 (and third) full-length by Iranian/Norwegian metal band Confess. In January of 2025 the band released their newest album Destination Addiction, featuring percussion by George Kollias (of Nile and Contrarian, most notably) and a guest appearance from guitarist Marzi Montazeri (formerly of Superjoint Ritual and Exhorder, etc) . With Confess's main creative duo now fully settled in Norway, the focus can be placed on writing their music with freedom.
Confess have been growing gradually in recent years, casting off the setbacks that affected them early on and Destination Addiction really feels like an album that come’s from a place a stability but also defiance. Opener ‘Built on a Grave” shows that defiance off perfectly with thrashy/groove-laden riffs, bass and authoritative death metal vocals; all kept in check by the precise and classy percussive delivery of George Kollias. It’s a full-force way to kick off the record and leads straight into ‘Slaughterhouse’, which doesn’t skimp on the breakneck heaviness. There’s a refreshing sense of passion flowing through this song. That sentence may sound like a bit of a cliche but it’s not meant to. Honing a sound is difficult for any band, but Confess seem to have found their’s here.
The instant blasting/technicality that hits on ‘Expedition’ will throw you off completely as Confess delve deeper into what made nu-metal so popular at it’s heaviest. The addition of turntable scratches and samples will bring about a feeling of nostalgia in some and to be honest, those additions are well received. Variety is a good thing and Confess aren’t afraid of it. From that little bit of nostalgia to the truly atmospheric and anthemic tome that is ‘Dark on Both Sides’. This song sounds and feels different as it’s tempo slows a touch, leading to a stripped back opening passage before shades of Fear Factory, Superjoint Ritual and Meshuggah make themsevles known. Comparisons aside, Confess have it nailed, breakdowns and all!
The curiously titled ’Suicide Song’ starts with rousing feedback and marks the mid-way point on Destination Addiction. It sees Confess at their most urgent tempo-wise, while catchy instrumental touches flourish throughout that hint to their roots. The album’s latter half starts with ‘Final Lap’, which isn’t their final song at all. It’s actually another six-minute plus song filled with exquisite metalcore riffing and brutal death metal intricacy. The mid-section retreats to a passage of introspection before the percussion takes a regimented stance, leading to guitar/bass work that builds back up to the metalcore that makes it so listenable.
After that modern metal masterpiece (sorry for too much alliteration), it’s hard to know how Confess will follow it. In true metal fashion the answer is; by going in a different direction again on ‘After Goliath’, which sees them mix thrash/death metal with the nu-metal inspired scratching once again. Add to that the exceptional guest appearance of Marzi Montazeri, who provides a truly killer guitar solo and who knows what to think! ‘Origami God’ bristles with Eastern influence once again, alongside obscenely good extreme metal that sounds so assured and focused. You could describe it as many other things as well but sometimes less is more.
The album’s penultimate beast ‘Only Shackles to Lose’ is the fastest song on the album, glitching and grinding it’s way through two-and-a-half minutes of blunt force trauma. It rests on closer ‘Breathe In. Breathe Out’ to ensure that things end on a high (if that’s the term!). It certainly does that, as Confess throw all their sonic might into the ring one final time, with George Kollias putting everything into the drums as expected. It ends abruptly but it leaves plenty of room for more from Confess too.
It feels like Confess are very different band to the one they were three years ago. Their song-writing, performance and their choice of collaborators on Destination Addiction act as a testament to their growth. I have no doubt that you’ll enjoy this record like I did.
You can stream and purchase the album digitally, as well on both physical formats below:-
Confess will receive more from sales placed via their own site, so please consider heading here - https://www.confessband.com/category/all-products.
Confess - https://www.facebook.com/confessbandIR