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CONFESS “Metalmorphosis”
CONFESS “Metalmorphosis”
By Iron Sheik
CONFESS return with an album that will appeal to fans of 80s polished heavy metal groups like OZZY, MOTLEY CRUE, RATT, DOKKEN, JUDAS PRIEST, or even KIX. Their latest album “Metalmorphosis”, it is a gritty 45 minute polished sleaze fest. “Commercial” is too harsh in describing their music, yet it fits the music to a minor degree. It does not take away from the album's heaviness in its ten tracks.
“Metalmorphosis” was crafted by vocalist and band founder John Elliot, who is joined by Samuel Samael on guitar, Ludwig Nordlander on guitar, Asset Hakala on guitars, and Lucky on bass. They have made an album of fist pumping anthems which is about to commence.
“Colorvision” opens the album, and its guitar work is very reminiscent of “Miracle Man” while still being its own animal. By track three, “Wicked Temptations” they are stating "call me crazy, or don't call me at all..." Ok, if you say so! Sometimes keyboards override the given music, feeling to me unnecessary especially as a segue to a guitar solo. “Beat Of My Heart” is mostly acoustic. It has keyboard atmospherics that are cool and excellent withhaunting electric guitar throughout. A longing for a lost love that aches. It would also be the end of side one on an LP if it were a record.
With a title like “Pursuit Of The Jenny Haniver” I was thinking this track was about a stalker. Yet it seems it is about a ship upon the ocean in search of "the Lord of the ocean..." I guess I was wrong about my first thought! “The Other Side” declares "I would do anything, just show me how...can you hear me call your name..." Is it a long lost love or a call from death's side? It ends with the sound a tape makes when it gets off track with an abrupt stop. An old cassette tape memory for me! “Silvermalen” begs "what more can you ask for...to fight...to die...the pagan way." A calling to the Pagan gods that could be a summation of the album. Wait though, there is a bonus track! “To The Fire” which is a hard hitting closer. It concerns "a Higher Power calling" which may mean there is an evocation of a vulnerability, a release, or maybe taking stock of one's guilt. Maybe there is another meaning I missed? Still a great heavy closer.
With few flaws in execution, mainly my near 100% dislike of any keyboards, “Metalmorphosis” is a kickass polished sleaze metal fest of an album! I never would have called it sleaze metal as most things I have read have done. It does not call up the sleaze sound to me, yet the band has the look. Polished is the opposite of Sleaze. Sleaze to me called up bands like D'MOLLS, SEA HAGS, SMASHED GLADYS, or even L.A.GUNS. My musings aside, “Metalmorphosis” rocks, has no filler, and is accomplished. It is an album that lives up to its name, and it will be an excellent addition to any collection!
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