Iranian-Norwegian metal visionaries Confess have delivered a masterful follow-up to their critically acclaimed Revenge At All Costs. With Destination Addiction, the band crafts a harrowing exploration of survival, resilience, and the heavy cost of enduring life’s darkest chapters. Fueled by personal trauma, sociopolitical turmoil, and unflinching honesty, this album is as gripping as it is cathartic.
Produced by frontman Nikan Khosravi and mixed/mastered by the esteemed Alberto De Icaza (Amon Amarth, Clutch), Destination Addiction strikes a perfect balance between brutal sonic assault and emotional vulnerability. George Kollias (Nile) and Marzi Montazeri (ex-Phil Anselmo & the Illegals) lend their expertise to tracks like “After Goliath,” elevating the record with technical brilliance and dynamic range.
Opening with “Built On A Grave”, the album sets a foreboding tone. The crushing riffs and raw vocals immediately pull listeners into the thematic depths of isolation, addiction, and despair. The song’s theme centers on rebuilding amidst destruction, with the metaphor of constructing something atop a grave symbolizing a refusal to let despair be the end. The opening verse sets the tone with introspection and disillusionment: “Life’s a trip, but I don’t travel well.” It pairs this sense of futility with a fierce determination to survive, despite the destruction that remains unfinished. The chorus amplifies the emotional weight, emphasizing the act of collecting broken pieces and forging ahead: “Collecting my broken bones in a bag, cutting the ties, carrying my flag.”
“Slaughterhouse” follows, an adrenaline-fueled track drenched in groove and aggression, demonstrating the band’s ability to fuse melody and brutality seamlessly. The track delivers a chaotic, brutal narrative of violence, rage, and vengeance. The speaker’s tone is confrontational and defiant, expressing a savage, almost unhinged desire for dominance. The imagery is vivid and violent, starting with a direct welcome to “hell,” setting the scene for a slaughterhouse where brutality is the norm. The mention of “deafening boots stomping on the ground” and “weaponized in cell” emphasizes the violent preparations, while “chest out, wore my beliefs like a tactical vest” shows the speaker’s sense of invincibility and personal conviction in the midst of their aggression.
The centerpiece of the album lies in “Suicide Song”, a brutally honest portrayal of mental health struggles. Its haunting verses and explosive choruses encapsulate the inner chaos faced by those battling with their demons. Tracks like “Dark On Both Sides” and “Origami God” highlight the band’s lyrical maturity, tackling sociopolitical issues and philosophical reflections with depth and precision. Confess’s collaborations shine brightly on this record. Marzi Montazeri’s incendiary guitar work on “After Goliath” adds a dynamic edge, while George Kollias’s percussive precision imbues the record with a ferocity that fans of extreme metal will savor. Tracks like “Expedition” and “Only Shackles to Lose” take on epic proportions, with layered instrumentation and sharp, poignant lyrics addressing freedom and resistance. The album concludes with “Breathe In. Breathe Out.”, a track that offers a moment of reflection amidst the chaos. Combining atmospheric melodies with crushing crescendos, it encapsulates the resilience and hope that underpins the album’s bleak narrative.
Destination Addiction is more than just a metal album—it’s a raw, unapologetic manifesto of survival. Confess channels their pain, anger, and hope into an unrelenting sonic journey that solidifies their place in the pantheon of socially conscious metal acts. With its dark themes, innovative sound, and bold collaborations, Destination Addiction is a powerful reminder of metal’s ability to confront the harsh realities of life and emerge defiant.
For fans of metal that combines heaviness with emotional depth, Destination Addiction is a must-listen. Confess continues to defy boundaries, cementing their legacy as one of the most important voices in modern metal.
