Metalcore band Confessions of a Traitor release their new album, This Pain Will Serve You, on Friday. It is full of mental health themes, and we asked Scottish Ambassador for HMT and Metal Encyclopaedia Matt, to review album and also conduct an interview with lead vocalist Stephen (assisted by Ben):
“London metalcore four piece Confessions of a Traitor haven’t wasted any time since 2022’s Punishing Myself Before God Does album, featuring one of my favourite tracks from the band called Peacekeeper.
On this new album the band immediately grab the listener, leaving them wanting more, setting up the journey going through the album. Straight away an early favourite is opener Starve. A short and straight to the point face melting example of what they have to offer with this release.
The pacing of the album is chosen well, keeping things moving, demanding the listeners full attention. Track 4 Midnight Sun will make a fine addition to the live setlist, getting the crowd moving with a nice tempo to get some moshing in for the fans.
As on previous releases the band have invited some friends to collaborate and play on some tracks. Track 3 Doomsayer featuring Exist Immortal, Track 4 Midnight Sun featuring Sarea, Track 5 Still Haunted featuring HolyName and Heal The Hurt, Track 9 Hail Mary featuring Convictions, Track 9 Let It Consume You featuring War Of Ages and Track 11 Half Life featuring Black Coast.
Track 5 on the album, Still Haunted, explores the story of vocalist Stephen’s best friend’s loss of his partner to suicide. A moving story told through a fantastic single on the album. Sadly mental health struggles are something we all share and learn to deal with in our daily lives. The song goes into holding the memories of the relationship close, while also acknowledging being haunted by the things they think they could have done differently to have helped someone choose to stay rather than go. It is one of the standout tracks from the album upon first listen and I’m sure will be an earworm the more it’s played.
Confessions Of A Traitor have never shied away from the theme of mental health and learning from struggles, this album is no different in that respect.
Released May 16 th 2025 through Facedown Records. Make sure to give the album a listen and share it with your friends. The band play a hometown show at the 229 London in the heart of the city on May 31 st supported by Swarm6ix and Shoot To Kill. Confessions Of A Traitor put on a high energy exciting show.
Thank you for the opportunity to hear the album early and offer up some of my first thoughts. Look forward to repeated listens digging into the lyrics and themes more and more”
Matt, HMT Scotland
Heavy Metal Therapy 