As the band’s name suggests, this album is of a Hardcore orientation. Stating that “Confess” is heavier and more cohesive than their previous release “Confidence and Consequence”, the band are pleased with it. That’s nice. Actually, I quite liked it too.
Yes it is heavy, but for all the Hardcore/Metalcore element, this album has a comforting rhythm throughout. In fact it’s so smooth in its delivery, it’s hard to pick out the developments. The 11 tracks come in at about 3 minutes each. They’re all punchy …. and pretty similar. “Rock Bottom” was my favourite – a great groove and chorus line with some variation in the gruff vocals. There were plenty of headbanging moments to go with that deep rhythm guitar, notably though on “Define Irony” and “Omerta”. “Saving Grace” had a short industrial section but it’s all marginal in the scheme of things. “Find My Way” almost reached the height of “Rock Bottom”, breaking off, changing pace and preaching a level of aggression which had not been missing but hadn’t been overwhelming either.
For the record, Hatebreed, Pantera, Machine Head and Crowbar are considered to be the comparison base for Too Pure to Die. To their credit, they do seem to have carved out their own niche of Groove-Hardcore with “Confess”. It may sound disparaging to say that this is the most mature Hardcore I’ve heard, but I don’t mean it to be. The fact is that it’s hard to regard this musical style as being the manifesto of angry young men, much as the vocals may suggest it. It was interesting to read that the band are committed to playing live and get around their native USA. I’m sure in their live shows, they manage to get across the energy and intent that’s in evidence on “Confess”. It’s an enjoyable and solid album, but I just hope they develop the formula in time for their next release.
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