The Confession may be an unfamiliar name in the music scene but with their debut album Requiem things are going to change. These guys are not metal-core, hard-core or anything-core. They are rather, more of a solid rock and roll band that leans away from the untranslatable screaming vocals (for the most part), to focus more on solid guitar technique and drumming. Longtime friend M. Shadows of the infamous Avenged Sevenfold has lent a hand to the quintet and produced the CD.
Imagine Skid Row tousled with the likes of Velvet Revolver, but with twin guitar solos that are actually not irritating and you have yourself The Confession. The eleven track CD is more laid back than that of M. Shadow’s band and I can see a lot of attention being captured because of it. I can sense a little bit of Avenged in some of the tracks, but not to the point where I would think that they have copied their style.
The opening track scared me for a second because the intro rubbed off as Dragonforce. But as soon as the lead singer started to sing “Burn The Virgin,” I calmed down and enjoyed the song. The dual guitar solos, bass lines, and crisp drumming kept the song flowing well, causing this to be one of my favorite tracks on the disc. The singer almost reminds me of the lead singer of Roses Are Red at times with his vocal range.
“Time Is Gone” does kind of sound like an Avenged song—especially the singing—but it was still a good song. Other tracks “Jealousy” and “No Angel” are actually tracks off their first EP. Since I have not heard the originals I really can not compare them, but “Jealousy” was a harder treat.
The album's title track “Requiem” was almost a Queensryche homage even if it was not meant to be. The acoustic entrance to the song with the gentle singing called to mind past bands of yesteryear. The piano was melodic, with an overall gloomy feeling—as it should be, seeing as the song was dedicated to a friend who left this earth far too early.
“The Rise And Fall” turned out to be one of the heavier tracks on the album. The drumming again was vicious, and the guitars were entertaining. Closing track “No Angel” did not let the CD end on a light note. The dual singing and busy music styles that ended the CD left me wanting more.
Look for these guys on this years Warped Tour—I know I will. I am hoping that they can grab the interest of all the little scenesters and show them that it’s ok to open your musical tastes beyond Hawthorn Heights.
If you still have love for the eighties guitar solos, and are looking for something different from the norm, you should check these guys out. I cannot guarantee that they’ll be sporting the look of the Iron Maiden days, but they do convey some of those sweet, sweet, guitar solos you once banged your head to.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Sorry man, once you mentioned Avenged I lost interest. But, then I checked out the website and lost even more interest. These guys could never compare to Maiden,they are a perfect example of "Cookie-Cutter" Metal and probably think that Poison is "Hair Metal". You can tell by listening to one track that the production values rank higher than their musicianship,the lyrics are predictable & pretentious and for God's sake, tell the drummer to get rid of the triggers...Thanks, but I'll stick w/ my irritating twin leads and untranslatable screaming lyrics.
Illogicist.com
2 - Devanne
i dont agree at alll Brian aka Guppusmaximus.
but then again im a HUGE fesh' fan.
they are going places.
and i love there cd and EP very much.
i like the review, even though im not sure i see how time is gone is like avenged compared to other tracks, i get what youre saying but i think its still different.
and taylor has a MUCH better voice than m. shadows will ever have.
taylor is fuckin amazing.