Voluntary Mortification: “Mortem Cultus” EP Review

Mortem Cultus is my introduction to Voluntary Mortification, a brutal Catholic death metal five-piece from Lansing, Michigan. The band got their start with their debut release Suffer to Rise in 2022. Fast forward three years and they’re unleashing another round of brutal screams, shredding guitars and deep, thought-provoking lyrics. When I first started listening to them, they reminded me a lot of The Famine. The Famine was fast, aggressive and had a similar style to what we find in Mortem Cultus.

The theme and attitude for this EP are established right away in the intro to the first song, “Death Cult.” The eerie chanting serves as a prelude to the sudden burst of screams. Musically it is just loud and aggressive. The drums are energetic and Giulian (drummer) doesn’t seem to take any breaks. For the vocals, I can’t imagine getting that low and not losing your voice, but Conner (vocalist) does a great job of maintaining the high quality of his low screams. I like the line in the song,

“Hell Shrieks. I Suffer Yet He Restores.”

It is such a great reminder that hell and the enemy are going to do whatever they can do to keep you from fulfilling the will of the Father. As long as we are going back to the Father looking for repentance, He is willing to restore us.

“Plagues” is the next round of ferocity on this record. It begins with a chunky, distorted guitar intro and features Daniel McKay on vocals. This creates a shift in the dynamics of the song, artfully blending spoken word with the raw intensity of screaming. This is a well-placed change of pace as it temporarily forces the EP to slow down but then launches back into the brutality. The theme of this song seems to be on the end of the world, evidenced with lines like,

“Babylon, feel God’s wrath, obliterate all in His path.”

“Death Cult” is centered around living life for the sake of Christ, even when it could cost you everything. “Plagues” discusses the end of the wrath, but both songs feature some ancient Latin at the end of the songs. To me, it shows an appreciation for the ancient texts.

When you have music like this where it’s fast and aggressive, it’s fairly obvious when the tempo slows down. “Harvester” has a slow, methodical start to this song where the drums absolutely set the tone. If you like a good, death metal breakdown that makes you want to headbang, this is that song. Between the breakdowns and the variety of screams, they knew how to piece together this song and make it enjoyable.

The unusual title of the next song makes you instantly curious about its meaning. “Hemophagia” is the title of the next track and it means “the practice by certain animals of feeding on blood.” You’re thinking “How is this a Christian song?” but when you look at the lyrics, it makes sense. The song is referencing communion, but that it is more than just taking a piece of bread and a cup of juice (or wine). It’s about a cleansing, a holy cleansing. The lyrics stand out with their powerful message, urging church members to remember Christ's sacrifice and seek repentance.

“Consume thy divinity. Ingest the eternal covenant.”

I'm captivated not only by the lyrics but also by the powerful guitar solo and double bass featured at the end. The variety in the outro is a nice change in this song.

Mortum Cultus EP features four original songs and a cover. They covered “Entombment of a Machine” by Job For A Cowboy, which is a secular death metal band. It’s an interesting choice for a cover, but I thought they did the original justice. The styles are similar and if you weren’t aware that this was a cover then you would’ve thought this was a Voluntary Mortification original song.

While death metal isn’t exactly my cup of tea, I still appreciate a solid EP packed with full-throttle guitar riffs, blistering double bass and grueling deep guttural vocals. This was a short, 20 minute filled EP jam packed with deep, thought-provoking lyrics and incredible music. This is something that I could put on repeat in the gym. If you’re looking for something to headbang with, this is your EP. I give Mortum Cultus a four out of five stars.

Behold The Beloved: “Harsh Realities” Album Review

It’s always refreshing to hear newer Christian rock bands that channel the classic sounds of Pillar and Disciple. This is Behold the Beloved, a five-piece from Manheim, PA, who has been on a musical journey ever since they first came on the scene in 2013. Starting as a worship band, they transitioned to rock and haven’t turned back, working hard at honing their craft and touring whenever they can. 

Earlier this year, they released their follow-up to the hard hitting album, No Surrender, with Harsh Realities. Continuing their previous work with Josiah Prince and Andrew Stanton of Disciple, they develop and evolve their sound with each project. With shredding guitars, pounding bass, and Sean Green’s talented vocals, their music packs a punch!

Harsh Realities Album Review:

Tracks: 10

Length: 41 minutes

Release Date: June 20, 2025

Label: Independent

Kicking off the album is the hard hitting single, “Dear Martyr.” From the opening note, this single sets the tone both musically and lyrically for the whole album. Lyrically, this album is based on the harsh reality that life as a Christian is not easy. For this song in particular, it’s an anthem for Christians around the world, who are risking their lives for the sake of the Gospel. I love the lyrics,

“Why do they stay? Why don’t they run away? Why do they pray when they’re hunted for their faith?”

Risking their lives may seem senseless, but these brave martyrs are doing it to spread the Gospel to all the nations. Along with the cry for the persecuted, the band brings the energy with the crunchy guitar rhythms, incredible electric guitar solo, and catchy lyrics. Sheldon Stauffer on drums is a highlight of this song, especially in the opening.

The theme of difficult times continues with “Darker the Night.” The song centers on the challenge of persevering in a world that actively rejects the message God is trying to give them.. Between the meaningful lyrics and Jeff Leaman’s technical guitar skillset, this song packs a punch in an effort to encourage believers to share God’s faithfulness and love with others  This song also features a hard-hitting line,

“Another day, another tragedy (God, where are you?)”

This is an incredible line, because a lot of people want to ask the question of how could an all-knowing and all-loving God allow evil things to happen. It is hard for us as humans to understand the complexity of who God is, but God still reigns.

“Untouchable” opens with a distinctive, almost techno sound that once again stretches the musical boundaries of what BTB is capable of. The chorus goes hard, with driving guitar and  a great crowd call & response in live shows. Production values have definitely improved greatly since the first album and it shows throughout this album. It is also good to see the guys showing that they have variety in their tone and feel, not just sticking to a formula.

Prior to this album, the band released two singles in 2024, “Toxic Lullabies” and “Powerplay.” BTB shows that they are not afraid to tackle some tough topics and they come out swinging with “Toxic Lullabies.” This song is a fierce warning against false teachers who spread lies instead of the Gospel. They don’t mince words, comparing them to wolves. Aggressive and upbeat at the same time, “Toxic Lullabies” has a bassline that highlights Tim Kitchen’s ability to throw down. Jason Stauffer and Jeff lay down energetic guitar riffs that compel listeners to move, paired with Sean’s passionate vocals.

“Powerplay” is a rock anthem that uses ice hockey as a metaphor for the importance of taking risks on behalf of the Gospel, because we know we have God on our side. While highly themed songs have the potential to come across cheesy, BTB nails it! Rounding out the concept, the band sold hockey jerseys as merch and shot the music video in an ice rink. It’s a favorite to see live and Jeff always nails the shrieking guitar solo! Don’t let the gray hair fool you, he knows how to shred and absolutely loves doing it.

They get really personal with their next song, “Am I Broken?” pulling from their own experiences and struggles. It shows a genuine and vulnerable side of the band, encouraging and challenging their fans in their faith.

“I’m believing there’s a reason for this bleeding, but it’s breaking me. Open my eyes, I wanna see. What’s going on, what’s going wrong with me? Am I broken?”

They’ve featured some amazing collaborations with artists, like Kevin Young from Disciple on their last album, and now Jon Micah from Kutless. Adding Jon Micah to this song helps give an amazing contrast in lead vocals, as well as dynamics that makes this song stand out. The song ends on a positive note, using a key change to convey hope in the midst of the struggle. 

The next track, “Heartbreak,” immediately showcases the band's diverse talent, opening with a beautiful violin intro.The song gives a passionate plea that conveys a message of love from Creator to creation. This seems to be their ballad on the record, highlighting Sean’s vocal abilities. Recently, this song has made its way onto Christian radio and it is encouraging to see these guys continue to showcase their talents.

The beginning of “Live Again,” has the stylings of a worship song from Elevation or Hillsong, but Jeff’s signature guitar sound differentiates this song from those catalogs. This song also highlights the writing pattern of Jeff and Jason on the guitars, along with their technical mastery of their instruments. “Ready to Die” is a straight-up rock song, with gritty vocals and a little southern flavoring. Andrew Stanton of Disciple steps from producer to guitarist, lending his musical talents to this attitude-filled tune. 

The album wraps up with their rendition of “Gratitude” by Brandon Lake. After exploring themes of Christian struggle, hardship, and doubt throughout the album, a powerful closing worship song feels like a fitting resolution The passion through Sean’s voice and the band are featured and convey an attitude of worship and humility. It seemed that they were playing and recording this as if they were playing directly in front of the Heavenly Throne.

Honestly, Harsh Realities is a powerhouse, just the right combination of rock and emotion. The lyrics are catchy, and there are moments where Behold the Beloved shows off some serious expertise. Their sound is just getting better and better! Their high-energy live performances and infectious spirit are exactly what people need, inspiring others to live out their faith and keep bringing people into the kingdom. This is a band that you don’t want to sleep on! They're part of that next generation of Christian rockers who have the musical chops to command respect from absolutely everyone, while rocking out for their faith and staying true to their message. This is a step up from No Surrender and I’m excited for what comes next from them!

THROWBACK - Pillar: “Where Do We Go From Here” Album Review

In the early 2000s, Christian rock was on the rise with bands like Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch, Pax 217 and others making their way up the charts. On the forefront was Pillar, a four-piece Christian rock band out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who burst out on the scene with Fireproof in 2002 and then again with the release of Where Do We Go From Here in 2003. Pillar is a Christian rock band that incorporated some hip-hop into the earlier projects, but would evolve their style into a complete rock sound. They would experiment with incorporating different musical elements, like a drawn out, southern rock guitar riff that we heard on The Reckoning or a systematic pop rock sound that we heard on Confessions. On Where Do We Go From Here, they unleash that signature rock sound you can't help but sing along to.

The build up to this album was memorable. Pillar released the Broken Down EP about six months before and it featured the early mix of their first single off the new album, “Bring Me Down.” This song was everywhere! It was featured on the EP, they were playing it live on tour, and it was a highlight of other compilation CDs. The excitement built to a frenzy leading to the album release, for good reason! I honestly believe that this is one of Pillar’s best releases. It featured two number one singles in “Bring Me Down” and “Frontline” and kicked off a headlining tour with Project 86, Falling Up and Subseven that included a stop in Lancaster County.

Where Do We Go From Here Album Review

Tracks: 12 (14 on the Limited Edition)

Length: 42 minutes

Release Date: June 15, 2004

Label: Flicker

The first song, “Hypnotized,” kicks off the album with a bang, featuring an incredible, recognizable opening groove. Rob’s melodies weave in and out of Noah’s driving guitar riffs and Kalel’s dynamic bass lines. The momentum is sustained between the rhythmic guitar in the first track to the aggressive, in-your-face rock riffs heard in the next song, “Bring Me Down.” As mentioned earlier, this song was everywhere. Compilation CDs, video game soundtracks, music video countdowns. This song highlights Rob’s screams, Noah’s thunderous guitar hooks and Lester’s masterwork on the drums. It  shows how Pillar continues to develop their sound from where they were with Fireproof to where they are with “Bring Me Down.”

With its driving chorus, 'Holding On' is a song that immediately gets your head bobbing. In contrast, “Let It Out” seems to do the opposite. It’s not exactly a power ballad, but it provides a quiet intro with a mellow guitar riff until it launches into a rocky push in the chorus, where the audience is encouraged to cry out to God asking where He is in the midst of frustrating times. The chorus encourages the audience to shout along with the catchy chorus:

“Let it out, can you hear me? Can you hear me cry? Let it out, don’t hold back! All this I got inside.”

We move from the anguish of wondering where God is in the troubles, to screaming out about how God’s unrelenting love is there for us despite our mistakes. “Simply” is that anthem. The passion in Rob’s voice pushes that message of God’s desire for His creation. Three simple words are the focus of this song, “You Simply Love.” The album continues with “Rewind,” a song that holds a very personal connection for me, as it was played at my uncle’s funeral.  A beautifully written ballad, the song explores the desire to travel back in time to correct past mistakes and acknowledge the impact of our actions, even to our Father in heaven. The emotion of the lyrics is carried in the musicianship of the song, with soaring guitar licks, melodic fingerwork in the verses, and heavy rhythm guitar in the chorus. 

Next is “Frontline,” standing out as one of the album’s most popular tracks. This song was used for the Battlecry rallies with TeenMania and is overall a driving force to encourage people to be there on the frontline, standing up for their faith. 

“Everybody, with your fists raised high, let me hear your battlecry tonight! Stand beside, or step aside, we’re on the frontline!”

This song serves as the album's climax, fueled by its aggressive guitar and energetic vocals. This includes a fierce scream at the highest point in this song that would send any mosh pit into full gear.

The album keeps rocking with “Underneath It All.” I appreciate the portion of this song where the drums are highlighted and the depth that you hear in Lester’s musical ability. “Dirty Little Secret” starts with a quick tempo and deals with the heavy topic of pornography. The song focuses on the feeling that we are isolated in our sins. Rob highlights this mindset with the lines,

“You’ve got this dirty little secret. You’re trying hard to keep it. Out of sight, out of mind. But you can’t hide.”

If this is something that you are struggling with, there are resources available. Freedom Fight is one resource aimed at helping men break through. Hopefully this song is a powerful reminder that you are not alone in your struggles and you can break free. 

As the album wraps up, with “Staring Back,” “One Thing” and “Aftershock,” these songs have a tendency to overlap in style and tempo. Little details separate the songs, whether it's the distortion on the guitar riffs in “One Thing” or the unique drum pattern in “Staring Back.'“ Overall these three songs kept the energy progressing and ended the album on a good note. I remember in the build up to the release of this album, the band teased that there was a hidden track after one of the songs. At the end of “One Thing,” we found ourselves hearing Noah hammering out a blistering guitar solo that shows off his technical prowess.

Though Fireproof was a tough act to follow, Where Do We Go From Here proves to be a more than suitable successor. While Fireproof featured a gritty sound, Where Do We Go From Here offers a cleaner tone that still delivers the same energy and rock-out factor. Pillar would continue to experiment with their sound on the next album, The Reckoning, where they unleashed “Tragedy,” a track that consisted of almost entirely raw screamed vocals. "The change was short-lived; after one album, they returned to their signature style—the one that secured them video game soundtrack spots and radio time with For The Love of the Game. As for Where Do We Go From Here, it received mostly positive reviews with some critics responding positively, but others thought the album was good, but nothing special. They would also release a limited edition of this album that featured a remixed version of “Bring Me Down” and their cover of “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”

The main question I seek to answer is: “Does this album hold up over time?” Released over twenty years ago, this album is a time capsule—you can put it on and be immediately taken back in time to hear some great rock. The lyrics are catchy and make it impossible not to sing along. The guitar riffs are methodical and powerful, a force to be reckoned with. Personally, this is one of my all-time favorite albums and for those who miss the great sounds of Christian rock in the mid-2000s, Where Do We Go From Here holds up remarkably twenty years after its release.

Demon Hunter: “There Was A Light Here” Album Review

Demon Hunter has cemented themselves as one of top bands in Christian metal. Whether it’s the bold lyrics or gut-wretching guitar riffs, these guys have delivered incredible music for 25 years. I remember in 2007, Revolver Magazine released a story that featured four frontmen and their respective bands. One of those bands was Demon Hunter. Still one of my favorite magazine covers of all-time, as it featured four of the biggest bands in Christian metal.

Fast forward 18 years, Demon Hunter just released their latest addition to their discography with There Was A Light Here. To be honest, I stopped listening to Demon Hunter after they released The World is A Thorn. It wasn’t because I disliked the new material, but just like the weather, musical tastes come in seasons.

There Was A Light Here Album Review

Tracks: 12

Length: 56 minutes

Release Date: September 12, 2025

Label: Weapons MFG

After taking the time to listen to this new album, it’s safe to say that DH hasn’t lost a single step. The first track, “My Place in the Dirt” eases in with an eerie, gothic instrumental, reminiscent of the intros on The World is A Thorn and Storm the Gates of Hell. The album roars on with “Sorrow Light the Way.” Ryan Clark continues to show why he’s one of the best frontmen in the metal scene, executing seamless transitions from clean vocals to powerful screams. Among many great lyrics comes this gut-wrenching line from Ryan:

“I just watched my mother die. So, forgive me if I haven’t the want for this weight.” 

This leads to an incredibly heavy breakdown, which mirrors the heavy topic of death and losing a parent.

“Light Bends” has a unique, entertaining intro with an electrical, almost 8-bit vibe. The bass and drums drive this song and after diving deeper into the lyrics, this song is focused on leaning towards God taking the weight of everything onto His shoulders. Opening with a chunky guitar rhythm, “The Pain in Me Is Gone” is another song that highlights the talent of Jon Dunn on bass. My only critique of this song is how repetitive the chorus became.

The album continues with songs like “By A Thread,” “I’m Done” and “Ouroboros.” There’s a gothic influence that permeates this record, which is very apparent in the opening to “By A Thread.” Throughout this song, I enjoyed it as the screams seemed to be on rhythm with the drums. The guitar work on the track “I’m Done” is fantastic; it’s catchy, headbang-worthy, and wouldn’t sound out of place on the radio. “Ouroboros” sounds like a traditional Demon Hunter song with a mixture of screams and clean vocals. There is a slight part where I heard a hint of the guitar whine that was commonly heard in The Showdown’s music. Patrick Judge used to be the lead guitarist for The Showdown before jumping over to DH.

If you remember Storm the Gates of Hell, I’m sure you remember “Carry Me Down.” There’s a similar, familiar tone to the song “Breaking Through Me.”. As the album continues to convey a message of leaning on God in a time of grief, this song emphasizes that message with the lyrics, 

“I know your peace when it’s found me. Tear my sorrow to pieces.” 

“Overwhelming Closure” has a great guitar drive, lending to the pace of the album. “Hang the Fire” opens with a scream and methodical guitar riffs that push a constant beat. Lyrically, this has to be one of my favorites on the album.

“You know this world is your ending. No crown in defending your way. I hear your grave in the distance.”

To me, this line conveys a message of the battle between good and evil. It’s a battlecry knowing that despite the best efforts of the enemy, he will fall. Ryan continues to masterfully write these lyrics that speak on spiritual warfare. His boldness in his faith is encouraging to me, to see his faith put on display. 

The album offers a dynamic change of pace with “Reflected”,” introducing a grunge vibe with the mellow guitar riffs that are reminiscent of Nirvana and Alice in Chains. It’s a nice change musically, as it breaks things up and keeps the album fresh. Some metal albums have a tendency to blend together and you have a hard time differentiating between songs. But when you get a song that breaks that up, it really prevents the songs from blurring together.

This leads to the grand finale, “There Was A Light Here.” This song is a stunning, emotional ballad written in dedication to Ryan’s mother. The lyrics and simple guitar riff create this hauntingly beautiful melody. The song swells to a climax with a background choir, then slowly fades out. It’s raw and honest, the perfect track for a memorial, offering comfort to those grieving the loss of a loved one. This is a great song to help with the grieving process and a powerful way to end the album.

Overall, There Was A Light Here is a superb album. Given that I haven’t listened to much Demon Hunter for a while, I was surprised to hear mostly clean vocals over screams. I think that Ryan is one of those guys that blends those contrasting vocals so well. The band overall continues to deliver what fans expect with the deep riffs that show their passion in their music and their excitement in what they’re putting out. These guys know what they’re doing and show why they’re considered one of the best in Christian metal. I loved this album. Ryan wrote this out of a place of sorrow and mourning, but his faith was put on display as a conqueror. This is an aggressive album in both sound and lyrics, and it's certainly worthy of being added to your road trip playlist.

Wolves At The Gate: “Wasteland” Album Review

For years, Wolves At The Gate has dominated the Christian metal genre. Hailing from Ohio, the five piece metal band released their sixth album, Wasteland in May. This is their first venture into crafting a hard-hitting, immersive concept album, which follows a musical journey through a dystopian society while wrestling with the concept of sin. Ultimately, they find redemption and hope, while in a world filled with pain and suffering. 

I had the pleasure of seeing them live at Uprise Festival last year, where they debuted multiple songs off this record. The same energy and hard hitting messages that were felt during that performance were transcribed perfectly onto this album. They have become a mainstay in the Christian metal scene and Wasteland just adds to an already impressive catalogue

Wasteland Album Review

Tracks: 13

Length: 35 minutes

Release Date: May 30, 2025

Label: Solid State Records

The “INT[r]O” sets the dystopian tone of the album, starting with an eerie and unsettling guitar riff, leading right into hard hitting “(The Wasteland) PAIN.” It has the familiar sound of a Wolves at the Gate song, with passionate lyrics crafted by both Nick and Steve pouring themselves into writing this first song. I love the line: 

“Why are we shocked by the dark of this age? Hearts made for beauty are poisoned with rage…Against our Maker, we’re poisoned with rage.” 

This song shines a mirror on the state of our current society. We have drifted away from God and His true purpose. This theme weaves throughout the entire album, the idea that living without God, living in sin, is comparable to living in a wasteland.  The album continues with “Parasite", a heavy guitar and dynamic vocal driven track.  Just like “(The Wasteland) PAIN,” the well crafted lyrics drive home the grim wasteland/sin comparison.

When I heard the song “Synthetic Sun” for the first time, I almost thought it was a Linkin Park song. From the drum-heavy intro to the grungy guitar riffs, this is sure to get the crowd moving in live concerts!  There were times when I was impressed with the quick-fire pacing of Nick’s screams to match Steve’s melody, which seemed to draw comparisons to Chester and Mike of Linkin Park.

To keep the listener immersed in their dystopian world, Wolves At The Gate uses interludes to connect songs. “Wandering,” “Withering,” “Wasting,” and "Wanting” are instrumentals filled with dystopian synths, reminiscent of an end-of-the-world sci-fi movie. Along with these electronic samples, spoken word portions help push the storyline through from song to song. 

Progressing through Wasteland, “Law of the (Waste) Land” will definitely get the pit moving in their live shows. Whether you like old fashioned moshing or getting in a little two-step hardcore dancing, the dynamic riffs and double bass would suit either fancy. “Smoke (False Devils)” and “Death Clock” are fast paced songs that showcase the musical and lyrical talent that WATG offers. The driven basslines and melodic riffs will be sure to have you headbanging along. These songs translate very well from a recorded album to live concerts. Aside from the musical talent, the lyrics that Steve writes makes you ponder and question what you’re doing with your life.

Moving towards the end of the album, the constant message leading up to this point is how can there be any hope in this wasteland? Where is the good amongst the destruction? We are self-destructive and in need of something to believe in. “Wasting” brings the transition in the theming with the spoken word, “another voice sings a chorus of hope.” This leads into “Memento Mori,” which is a passionate plea for the gospel.

“You could never go too far away from the hands that hold our sorrows. You feel the walls closing in, but you are not alone.” 

Every time I’ve seen WATG live, Steve has always given a passionate plea for people to turn to the gospel and devoting their lives to Jesus Christ. This is the mission and vision of WATG, to see people come to know Christ and have Him change everything about their life. The album ends with “Unrest.” From the opening scream to Steve’s smooth voice, this song starts out aggressively to smoothing out, as if the listener was caught in the struggle between leaving and going back to the wasteland. I love the lines in this song about the hope that we find in Christ: 

“Come out of the wasteland. I’ll take you by my hand. I know your heart is pressed. So come to me and find your rest.” 

We’re not perfect. We still struggle. But, God knows this and He is there for us. In the moments when we struggle, those are moments we need to reach out to God and ask for help.

Overall, Wasteland is one of the best records of the year. Wolves at the Gate is unapologetically passionate about what they believe in. They’re not pushy, but they certainly want you to know that they believe in God, while offering that hope to others. In this album, Steve and Nick prove why they are incredible writers. Each song packs a punch, encouraging us to examine ourselves and our willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to come in and change our lives.

If you get a chance this fall, they’re setting out on tour with Emery for select dates, so catch them on the road. Be sure to take the time to listen to this album, because every single second is worth listening to! It’s got everything, from distorted riffs that make you want to move, to grooves that will get you bouncing. They took a risk with a concept album and it paid off perfectly! I would give this album 5 out of 5 stars. Great lyrics, great music, great concept. Loved every single minute of it!

Confessions Of A Traitor: ‘This Pain Will Serve You’ Album Review

A lot has happened for Confessions Of A Traitor (COAT), a 4-piece U.K. metal band, since their 2019 viral “Breakfast Breakdowns” video, where they screamed lyrics over pancakes & sausage for patrons of a local Romanian restaurant. They were signed to Facedown Records, released two albums and toured across the U.S. & U.K. They recently wrapped up a summer tour with Bloodlines, Meadows and No Treaty, supporting their latest release, This Pain Will Serve You.

Just dropped in May, this metalcore album features 11 tracks and multiple contributors, ranging from Tommy Green, of HolyName, Trevor Tyson, of Heal The Hurt, to the nu-metal sounds of fellow Brits, Black Coast. This is their sophomore release on Facedown, following Punishing Me Before God Does.

The Pain Will Serve You Album Review

Tracks: 11

Length: 36 minutes

Release Date: May 16, 2025

Label: Facedown Records

Since its release in May, The Pain Will Serve You has been the go-to Christian metal album of the summer. The band uses haunting melodies and gritty lyrics to draw the listener into a deeper dialogue about grief, religious abuse, and self-worth, while maintaining a message of hope and redemption. The album starts off strong with its first three tracks, “Starve,” “Fatal Frame” and “Doomsayer.” From the very first note, “Starve” serves as a great introduction to this album: fast, aggressive and shares a great message of perseverance.

“Through trials, your strength will shine through and one day this pain will serve you.”

As soon as the last notes of “Starve” fade, the album flows right into “Fatal Frame,” which packs the same punch as “Starve.” These two songs help set the stage for the rest of the album, with its fast pacing and gut-wrenching lyrics. Confessions of a Traitor doesn’t seem to want to slow down, with the guitars pushing through and the breakdowns at the end of this song compelling you to headbang, no matter where you are.

Another highlight of the album is “Still Haunted.” This song features the clean vocals of Tommy Green from Sleeping Giant and HolyName along with the scream vocals of Trevor Tyson of Heal The Hurt. I would describe it as a Beauty & Beast song. You have the gentle and soft, clean vocals from Tommy paired with the harsh screams of both Trevor and Stephen. I couldn’t stop playing this song on repeat!

“Hail Mary” grabbed my attention with it’s deep and painful meaning. It’s unfortunate that we live in a broken world. While the church is supposed to be a safe space, there are those who do harm under the name of Christianity. In this song, Convictions Of A Traitor goes after those who abuse, but hide behind the name of God. To tackle this heavy topic, they called in the guys from Convictions to assist with brutal screams and heavy riffs.

The last two songs I want to point out on this record are “Let It Consume Me” and “The Sins I’ve Yet to Answer For.” I enjoyed the synth at the beginning of “Let It Consume Me” as it offered something different from the rest of the album. What really caught my attention, besides the contribution of Leroy Hamp (War of Ages), were the lyrics:

“Created in his image, but I despise mine. This is sacrilege of the divine. Within this battle, I’ll find self affection. You’ll never see the hate I hold within, I’m a hostage in my skin.”

Those lyrics pull no punches, with the message focused on how often we hate ourselves. We put ourselves lowly and wonder “how could God love us?” But this key moment creates the transition to “The Sins I’ve Yet to Answer For.” The song continues the message from “Let It Consume Me” with a strong focus on our shortcomings. But at the end of the song, Stephen screams, 

“My heavy heart, rotten to the core. With these sins I’ve yet to answer for. From a wretch’s cry, forgiveness hails. One cross, three nails.” 

Great way to end a song - to go from utter rottenness to a chance for redemption!

Overall, this was a fantastic album to listen to. If you’re looking for an album to rock out to while you’re at the gym or if you just need a good headbanging, this is that album! A great follow-up to their Facedown debut. There were moments of high energy and moments where they would slow things down, like the opening to “Doomslayer.” Each song brought its own momentum that continued to build upon itself and put together one of the best albums of the year. 

My one critique is while there were many highs, there were some songs that were indistinguishable from each other. This is a common thread in metal, where songs tend to run together, but there were definitely some stand out moments in this album. All in all, I’m giving This Pain Will Serve You a 4 out of 5 stars.

Check out Confessions of a Traitor

To dive deeper into Confessions of a Traitor, check out their website, or look them up on Instagram or Facebook.