Jail
Confess
•
April 28, 2014
Historically the mighty Sweden nordic country was always the most prominent territory and the best country in the old continent. When it comes to Party/Sleazy/Hair/Street Metal, it remains the only zone when the peroxidated musicians can compete with their American Glamsters fellows and beat 'em at their own game. The L.A. famous Sunset-strip wave has totally vanished and the real pumping heart of the genre is clearly established in the Stockholm area with CRASHDÏET/CRAZY LIXX/SISTER/HARDCORE CIRCUS and cohort, indeed, riding proudly the same Aquanet's wind spray , here is a new contestant in this friendly battle : CONFESS with their second full lenght release published by the Italian label SG Records "Jail".
Honestly dear Readers and followers of Metal-Temple ,It's a decent album, and I can recommend it to any fan of the genre. Even if i'm not totally convinced at 100% and if I still cannot reach to the real core of their sonic identity, it's still an exciting disc released by a young band. They are serious challengers in waiting, and I know that those blokes are gifted and skilled in the right way, perhaps i'll wish an additional factor like a thick density in their music. The classic Sleaze/Hair Metal elements are virtually all present in a decent proportion, of course we have the big mouth of the lead singer. The hooks and the riffs are here ("Bloodstained Highway"), the sing along mania switch is on the active mode but something in the entertainment, a basic Rock 'n' Roll parameter is still missing in order to climb at the red zone of the eargasmic climax. Yet "Jail" is a very enjoyable platter but I feel that CONFESS needs an additional kick or a more adventurous twist, maybe they need in the future to find a more dangerous tendency in order to transform them as a referencial gang or at least find their spot in the spandex first league !
The technical aspects are as always with Scandinavian releases in a very professional method, the production is top notch carefully worked, ditto for the look : the Dirty Bad Boy/Sleaze image is one of the best and one of the most credible that i witnessed in the contemporary era !
"Relationshit" and obviously "Scream" are very similar with CRASHDÏET's "Riot In Everyone" anthem, while "Pay Before I Go" is clearly in a slight Punkish flavor that is reminiscent of their elders HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, the vibe is an more radiophonic mood for "Setting Sails", same comments for "Back To Hell"/"Got Lucky", after this commercial triptych : "Cardiac Arrest" is away from this mood, differ a little bit with a dirty nasty style riffage in the verse and an efficient chorus. The antepenultimate song, the raunchy "Get Me Down" is a return to a more BACKYARD BABIES (90's era) influenced kind...Good stuff !
The great track "Intervention (sin & tonic pt.2)" with a strong arrangment, is a clearly something to keep on trying for the Swedes, if they want to improve themselves for the next, i hope for more like that in their third upcoming CD !
The closing track is ok , it's a cover of TINA TURNER's worlwide mega-hit single "What's Love Got To Do With It" , at least its rendition is pretty well performed but i believe they could have find a better idea !
Now i will leave the semantic formula to hit the target of the harsh reality for one second : I think they still need to focus on a more personal style to reach the level of HCSS & co. They are of course far from the SHOTGUN MESSIAH/CHRIS LANEY supremacy...In a different style the CONFESS guys are in a similar situation than their fellow compatriots SUNSTRIKE. A "diamond in the rough", with superb potential very promising, holding some cool capacities in the playing skills and a few fresh ideas, but they need to work again to reveal their full singularity, finally in a concrete fashion !
7 / 10
Good
"Jail" Track-listing:
1. Pray For The Prey
2. Relationshit
3. Scream
4. Pay Before I Go
5. Take Aim
6. Bloodstained
7. Setting Sails
8. Back To Hell
9. Got Lucky
10. Cardiac Arrest
11. Get Me Down
12. Intervention ( Sin & Tonic pt.2)
13. What's Love Got To Do With It
Confess Lineup:
John Elliot - Lead Vocals
Samael - Drums
Lucky - Bass
Denver - Guitar
Blomman - Guitar
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