“Are we falling apart because I’m not enough?”
Traitors are a heavy-hitting force in the world of hardcore and deathcore, blending raw intensity with an unrelenting approach to both music and message. Known for their slamming breakdowns and ferocious vocals, the Florida-based band has cultivated a fanbase that thrives on their dark, intense sound. Tackling themes of betrayal, personal struggle, and societal disillusionment, Traitors channel their anger into high-energy, cathartic music that hammers home their message. Since their debut self-titled EP, the band has delivered an unforgettable onslaught of riffs, and vocalist Tyler Shelton, becoming renowned for his visceral vocal performances. Their first full release since 2019s Repent (forgoing several singles released over the past few years), Traitors fans can be assured that they are not compromising on any of their newest work.
On first impression, the production quality of Phobias is a vast improvement over previous releases, with the wall of sound instantly exploding into action after the first track. Every element of each song is clear and intentional. Shelton consistently displays why he is one of the heavyweight vocalists of the genre. He effortlessly mixes between growls and gutterals, whilst the creative blend of hardcore, deathcore, and sometimes hip-hop around him in the instrumentation persistently bombards the listener with riffs and breakdowns. Consistent with their previous releases, but also with some elements of experimentation, Phobias is the most polished release from Traitors so far.
With standout tracks like “SBC”, “Trauma Bond”, and “Imposter”, the album weaves between downtempo chugged breakdowns, groovy bass driven sections, and relentless riffs. “SBC” will keep your gurn face engaged throughout, and “Imposter” has one of the heaviest breakdowns I’ve heard this year thus far. The album flows well from beginning to end, with a nice dynamic shift in the “Interlude” track serving as a palate cleanser before bringing in the second half of the album. “10DXM” is a fantastic conclusion, displaying their range between nu metal style riffs, and down tempo chugging patterns.
Phobias really delivers on a long-awaited release. Their unapologetic intensity and raw emotion will resonate with fans both new and old. Traitors have succeeded once again in proving they’re a force to be reckoned with, their future in the heavy music landscape looking brighter than ever.
8/10
Phobias releases today, the 21st February and can be ordered here.