Sweden’s sleaze/metal stalwarts Confess are back with their fourth studio album, ‘Metalmorphosis’, set for release on May 15, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl. To give a taste of what’s to come, the band unleashed the first single ‘Wicked Temptations’ last month, along with an official video. As the band themselves said: ‘Wicked Temptations’ can be described as a classic Confess anthem. It’s a song about releasing the inner animal and just “Go for it!”
But how is the rest of the album? Let’s dig in and find out…
Swedish sleaze-metal outfit Confess return with their fourth full-length Metalmorphosis, and if ever there was a record title that nailed its own intent, this is it. This is not a cautious step forward but a full-on reshaping of the band’s identity—still rooted in grit and attitude, but now sharpened, polished, and engineered for bigger stages. Mixed and mastered by Erik Mårtensson of Eclipse, the sound has been elevated without sanding off the band’s trademark bite.
The album opens with ‘Colorvision’, a punchy statement that immediately signals the expanded scope of the record. There’s a glossy edge to the production, but the riffing still carries that Stockholm Sleaze feel with a Metal sting, setting up a record that wants both hooks and heaviness in equal measure. It’s followed by ‘The Warriors’, which leans harder into anthemic territory and sounds more Motley Crue than that band has in years—with a big, stomping rhythm and a chorus clearly built for shouted live crowds to revel in.
‘Wicked Temptations’ sees Confess at their most dangerously melodic, threading sharp guitar lines through a chorus that sticks far longer than it has any right to. Then comes the title track ‘Metalmorphosis’, and this is where the album truly locks in its identity. After a gentle opening it just bursts forth fully formed and rocking. It’s anthem of a song—with a nice heaviness, arena-sized vocal delivery, and a pace that just sweeps you up. I love the keyboard flourishes underpinning the start of teh solo too!
Frontman John Elliot—also known for his work with Crashdïet—delivers one of his most controlled yet commanding performances across the record. His voice sits right at the intersection of Sleaze and Hard Rock sophistication, especially on tracks like ‘Beat Of My Heart’, which pushes further into commercial Melodic Rock without losing its edge. The rhythm section of Samuel Samael and Lucky keeps everything grounded, while guitarists Ludwig Nordlander and Asser Hakala constantly balance the dynamic range between shred and atmosphere.
Later highlights like the Power Metal flourish of the tale of ‘Pursuit Of The Jenny Haniver’ (go on look it up) and the contrast of the hugely commercial Hard Rock of ‘The Other Side’ which shows the band has a huge depth to their songwriting. This is becoming a classic. The final run—led by the fiery Priest-like rocker ‘Running To My Death’, is incredible, and as solid as the opening run. ‘Plague Of Steel’, another favourite gets cinematic again and balances the heavier attack with the album’s lushest melodies. It works so well.
Closer ‘Silvermalen’—brings the album home with a sweeping cinematic soundscape, a tale of conquest and battle, it’s a song that reinforces the idea that Metalmorphosis is as much about evolution as it is about expectation. By the end of teh record, Confess sound like a band that has fully embraced expansion without abandoning their core identity. It’s sleaze-metal with ambition, polish with bite. It’s confidence without compromise—exactly the kind of statement record that separates survivors from contenders.
Confess has an already impressive back catalogue and this may well be their best yet.
9/10
“Metalmorphosis” Tracklist: 1. Colorvision | 2. The Warriors | 3. Wicked Temptations | 4. Metalmorphosis | 5. Beat Of My Heart | 6. Pursuit Of The Jenny Haniver | 7. The Other Side | 8. Running To My Death | 9. Plague Of Steel | 10. Silvermalen
Line Up: John Elliot – Vocals | Samuel Samael – Drums | Ludwig Nordlander – Guitars | Asser Hakala – Guitars | Lucky – Bass
Follow CONFESS: Website | Facebook | Instagram
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