THE CONFESSION 'Requiem' (Science Records) RATING: 7.5/10

By JEFF MAKI

Here's a concept: A modern heavy metal band with a vocalist that actually sings. During the heyday of metal in the '80s this was the focal point and main draw for the genre's most popular acts: Iron Maiden, Dio, Metallica, Anthrax, Ozzy Osbourne—the list goes on and on. I would mark Pantera's Vulgar Display of Power as the turning point for the age of growling and screaming frontmen. Now it is the norm for a metal vocalist to scream first and sing as needed. The Confession takes us back to the genre's heyday with a strong, melodic frontman in Taylor Holland Armstrong. Backed by virtuoso guitar work and harmonies, Armstrong resembles a pair of former Anthrax frontmen: Joey Belladona and John Bush.

Someone is apparently taking notice, namely Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, as The Confession was selected as an opening act on Megadeth's 2007 U.S. tour.

Requiem was produced by longtime friend of the band M. Shadows, who just also happens to be the lead vocalist of Avenged Sevenfold. And that makes sense because before knowing this, there are several areas of this album that reminded me of A7X, minus the dirty rock n' roll attitude. The Confession seems purely based on musicianship rather than image. The futuristic guitar melody of “Through These Eyes” leads a mid-tempo, Stomp 442-stlye rocker, packing a memorable chorus with a punch. “Dance With the Devil”'s powerful vocals rev up the listener, and the song features progressive guitar tinges and a faint Queen influence. Armstrong is capable of extreme vocals, as evidenced by his growled versws in the thrasher “Jealousy.” “The Rise and the Fall” opens in the vein of old-school Metallica or Megadeth and is another standout.

For all that is outstanding with The Confession's Requiem, it seems too clean and even safe at times. Nevertheless, the band gives fans high hopes of retuning metal to the glory days and the potential here is near astonishing.

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