Confess - Destination Addiction

 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

Confess - Revenge At All Costs

Labels: Rexius Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 21 Jan 2022

Tracklist:

1. Based On A True Story...

2. EVIN

3. Phoenix Rises

4. Ransom Note

5. You Can't Tame The Beast!

6. Unfilial Son

7. Megalodon

8. Under Surveillance

9. Hegemony

10. Army Of Pigs!

11. I Speak Hate

With the backlash to the current football world cup taking place in Qatar and the human rights atrocities being left unpunished in various countries around the world, it takes brave people to speak out. Nikan Khosravi and Arash Ilkhani are two such people, having fled their native Iran following persecution and unjust prison sentences. They were offered asylum in Norway in 2018, where they have resided ever since and earlier this year they released Confess's third full-length Revenge At All Costs, with the help of drummer Roger Tunheim Jakobsen.

The message behind this album is all too real, as opener ‘Based On A True Story…’ shows with news/media samples spliced together alongside snippets of Confess’s groove/thrash metal. It’s already a very harrowing listen and it focuses on the band’s experiences of the Iranian legal/prison system, which is something many of us won’t even be able to comprehend. ‘EVIN’ is the first time you hear their music in true anger. EVIN is known as one of Iran’s harshest prisons and it’s picture is painted by Confess here. There’s a nod to bands like Fear Factory, Sepultura and Slipknot in a sound that’s also littered with Arabic influences (although subtle). 

Unsurprisingly though, there is also plenty of Norwegian melo-death influence that’s prominent during ‘Phoenix Rises’, especially thanks to the excellent drumming of Roger Tunheim Jakobsen. It has so much groove and impact, with the addition of Arash’s DJ’ing and Nikan’s hard-hitting guitar work. There’s a massive slab of thrash metal injected into ‘Ransom Note’ and it continues the up-tempo nature of the album.

The pace I mentioned above is only one part of this album’s draw, as Confess really hit their musical stride on ‘You Can’t Tame The Beast!’. The song makes use of different time-signatures and riff patterns, making it appear doomier with a hint of traditional heavy metal peeking through in the mix. The midpoint of Revenge At All Costs comes courtesy of ‘Unfilial Son’, where things get a bit more off-kilter and the bass guitar adds much more heft.

The aptly named ‘Megalodon’ is a shining example of well-written and performed groove metal. The sub-genre is sometimes maligned but Confess show that when it’s done right, it’s really enjoyable. ‘Under Surveillance’ follows on immediately after in very similar and urgent fashion. There’s a more technical edge to the band during this second-half and it’s great to hear, with the final sixty seconds of ’Under Surveillance’ being especially so. 

On ‘Hegemony’, things go back in a more traditional direction again and even though it’s one of the album’s longer songs, it still contains plenty of bite and atmosphere, without hampering momentum. There’s no doubt who ‘Army Of Pigs!’ is aimed at and the anger within it is palpable. Closing with ‘I Speak Hate’, Confess makes one final statement of intent and shows their resilience, which has been born out of their past experiences at the hands of an oppressive regime.

Revenge At All Costs hits the spot with it’s no nonsense approach and Confess have really harnessed their rage perfectly. It’s musically strong too, making it a great listen throughout.

You can stream and purchase the album both digitally, and on CD below:-

Confess - https://www.facebook.com/confessbandIR

Rexius Records - https://www.facebook.com/RexiusRecords

Nex Carnis - Black Eternity 7"

Labels: Blood Harvest Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 27 Sep 2019

Tracklist:

1. Last Gleams Of A Fallen Conscience

2. The Fathomless Caverns Of Oblivion

Jumping into music from far away lands can often be like staring into the unknown, but it needn't be. Metal and especially extreme metal ignores borders and brings people together. That's exactly what's happening with Iranian death metal band Nex Carnis. They recently released their latest EP "Black Eternity" via Blood Harvest and with it, they're starting to reach the ears of extreme metal fans from across the globe. The roots of the band dates back to 2012, when they self-released their "Death Of The Flesh" demo. 2015 saw the release of debut album "Obscure Visions Of Dark" with help from Italian label Nightbreaker Productions. It may be hard for them to play live either in or outside of Iran, but they'll always have a home amongst metal fans worldwide.

Nex Carnis has risen at the right time. Their death metal is technical, raging and melodic in equal measure. Last Gleams Of A Fallen Conscience is an excellent introduction to the trio for anyone who is crossing paths with them for the first time. The right amounts of murky growls and catchy instrumentation are on show and while you may not consider death metal all that catchy, you might change your mind once you’ve listened to this.

Second song The Fathomless Caverns Of Oblivion is no less listenable. There are moments of death/doom lurking within it but they’re subtle and the main element that’s present here are those bouncing riffs, that seem to lead you all over the place. Imagination in this sub-genre can sometimes be very much devoid but Nex Carnis let theirs run wild. The percussion is more gung-ho and the vocals remain deep and grunt-like but the guitar work is the key to how enjoyable this is.

This EP will definitely be one that keeps spinning. Memorable songs and while there are only two, they will keep you hooked until any future long-player. Another really impressive death metal release from 2019.

You can stream and purchase "Black Eternity" on vinyl or digital formats via Blood Harvest below:-

Nex Carnis - https://www.facebook.com/nexcarnis

Blood Harvest Records - https://www.facebook.com/BloodHarvestRecords/