“A flower doomed to decay as each petal wilts away.”
London metalcore outfit Confessions of a Traitor return three years after their last album, Punishing Myself Before God Does. The quintet’s straightforward, emotionally focused style of hardcore-tinged metalcore was always something I found charming; earnest in intention and not claiming to be more than it was. It is with this same goal that they present This Pain Will Serve You, bringing a modern metalcore twist on their established style and bringing along a host a guest features from fellow bands in both the UK scene and beyond.
“Fatal Frame” was the first single to kick off this release cycle, and immediately there was a sense of rejuvenation with its punchier, modern-leaning riffs and mix. New skin on a familiar skeleton, the track still possesses the band’s main qualities in its anthemic chorus and unassuming, yet impactful breakdowns. Mental health has always been a topic close to the band’s heart, and frontman Stephen MacConville’s charged and impassioned delivery follows through with an unmistakable desperation. Guitarist-vocalist Jacob Brand shines on the chorus alongside MacConville and the resulting hook is undeniably effective.
With “Hail Mary”, the band team up with Michael Felker of Convictions to deliver a bold and direct piece about abuse at the hands of those trusted with power and guidance. Utilising the lens of the Catholic church’s beliefs, it grapples with holding onto faith and questioning divinity in the undeniable wake of trauma and pain (“With a past none can erase, are you still my saving grace?”). The track’s darker, angrier tone and its appropriately gritty sound serve a truly unified focus in speaking out against such depravity.
As mentioned earlier, This Pain Will Serve You employs a number of guest features, mostly from bands that have toured with Confessions of a Traitor over the years. “Starve”, a hard-hitting rager of an opener, features Gert-Jan Vandervoort of Belgian metalcore band Moments assisting in creating an impactful entrance for the album. “Doomsayer” brings on Meyrick de la Fuente from UK progressive metalcore outfit Exist Immortal. Questioning existence in honest fashion, the resulting performance is appropriately intense. An atmospheric-driven track with some progressive metalcore stylings, it offers a different flavour from Confessions of a Traitor’s usual fare. “Still Haunted” takes a similar but more melodic approach. It features Tommy Green of fellow labelmates HolyName, as well as Trevor Tyson of Heal The Hurt. The triple vocalist combo brings an interesting depth to the track, between MacConville and Tyson’s intense screamed delivery and Green’s calmer singing vocals. The track offers reprieve to those experiencing loss as it holds nothing back in its personal depiction of grief.
The more modern metalcore-leaning direction of the album is very apparent, forming the fairly uniform sound of the album. The album, similar to its predecessor, does not push for big standout moments, rather focusing on a consistent level of quality. It seems true that while they have brought in new elements to their sound, they also have no intention of overcomplicating their approach. Mileage may vary, but the dependable nature of the sound is admirable. That’s not to say the album is devoid of any definitive moments; the band just seems content in letting them happen organically.
There are a few tracks that I want to put the spotlight on, starting with “Midnight Sun”. The progressive metalcore-inspired instrumentation used by these tracks are a refreshing inclusion, and this track displays it well. The subtly intricate riffs from Brand, particularly in the verses and the breakdown, are a fresh addition to the band’s sound. Seb Olrog drums up a storm on the kit with a precision that add to the impact of the track. The track also features vocals from Chris Forsberg of Swedish melodeath outfit Sarea, bringing an interesting contrast to the hardcore-leaning vocal style of MacConville. “Noble Bloom” is a more melodic cut, with Brand delivering an impressive set of leads throughout the song. With a destructive mid-track breakdown to change the pace, the track lands with just the right amount of gravity. “Let It Consume Me” takes a similar approach to “Fatal Frame” with its riffing style and overall structure. The highlight comes with the inclusion of vocals from Leroy Hamp, frontman of Facedown Records mainstays War of Ages. Hamp lines with MacConville in a striking performance, delving into the broken state of the human condition with a raw honesty that hits close to home.
Ending on a similarly adrenaline-filled note as the opener, closing track “Half-Life” charges forward with hardcore-style aggression. A callback of sorts to their base sound, the track lands with satisfying groove and emotion. Charlie Hewitt of UK nu-metal revival band Black Coast joins the track to lend a hand in this vigourous ending number.
This Pain Will Serve You is a definite step forward and a welcome addition to Confessions of a Traiotr’s catalogue. Although it doesn’t push much past the sound established on this record, it seems fully comfortable in this space, delivering heartfelt and relatable narratives via a familiar medium. The overarching narrative that we are never truly alone is exemplified through the entire record, from its lyrical themes to its numerous guest features. While it doesn’t aim for the loftiest peaks, This Pain Will Serve You is undoubtedly humble and reliable, with an authenticity that many may find resonance with.
8/10
This Place Will Serve You releases on the 16th of May via Facedown Records. Pre-order and merch links for the album can be found here.