REVIEW: Confessions Of A Traitor - This Pain Will Serve You

London metalcore quartet Confessions Of A Traitor are back three years after their last album with This Pain Will Serve You. The album delves deep into the complex and raw emotions of grief and loss, through haunting melodies and powerful lyrics, which the band use to great effect in order to explore the experience of mourning, and the journey toward healing.

First up, we have 'Starve' - is a hard-hitting rager that creates an impactful opening. The tight riffs and accelerated tempo, along with MacConville’s screamy vocals, immerse the listener in what to expect from the album, and set the pace of exactly what is to come. Next up is 'Fatal Frame', which certainly possesses the band's signature sound, however we also hear a very welcome addition in the form of punchier and more modern-leaning riffs. We hear more of Brand’s vocals in the chorus too which, alongside McConville's, creates an effective contrast and undeniable hook.

'Doomsayer' is the heaviest and darkest song on the album. It showcases the band's sharper metalcore sound in an almost apocalyptic way. MacConville’s ability to move from throat-shredding rage to ghostly clean vocals adds layers of depth, and this song will stay with you long after the final note ends. We then get to 'Midnight Sun', where the ferocious guitars of Brand and Darnell lead this track, offering riffs that transition seamlessly into its catchy chorus. The lyrics, along with haunting vocals, bring the song to life even more.

'Still Haunted' is the lead single of the album, inspired by MacConville’s best friend’s loss of a partner to suicide. The track is a soundtrack of grief and every scream, every lyric feels earned. Haunted, layered vocals that hit you right in the feels, along with a thunderous climax makes this track one of the band's most emotional songs to date. Following this we have 'Love You Left Behind', to kick off the second half of the record. This song has a moody and immersive tone filled with texture and contrast, which elevates the track into something rich and very listenable. Vocally, this track is probably the most melodic from the album, where we really hear the core of MacConville’s clean vocals.

'Noble Bloom' shows off the band's versatility with brutality and ethereal cleans. The dynamic shifts make the breakdowns hit even harder. Olward’s drumming in this track is nothing short of thunderous, bringing it all together as an onslaught. 'Hail Mary' stays on the same track, where screams are paired with clean vocals to give that soul shuddering metalcore sound. Heavy with religious symbolism alongside Mike Felker’s (Conviction) guest vocals, they all fuse together seamlessly creating a song that feels massive in every aspect possible.

As we approach the end of the album, we have 'Let It Consume Me' and 'The Sins I'm Yet To Answer For', which feature two of the heaviest breakdowns on the entire album. Vocally they portray sheer agony, and the guitar riffs almost scream alongside them, setting a cinematic atmosphere in both tracks. 'Half Life' closes the album, and features an appearance from Charlie Hewitt of UK nu-metal revival band Black Coast. The track has a hardcore-style aggression with some of their heaviest riffs to date, and brings the album to a vigorous end.

The pain which has been portrayed throughout this album is quite remarkable. Amongst some excellent musicianship, and especially some fantastic vocal displays, this ability to draw from such raw emotion is the key to why This Pain Will Serve You is a cut above the rest.

Score: 8/10

This Pain Will Serve You was released on May 16th 2025.

Words: Amy Watson

Photos: Confessions Of A Traitor