Staind – Confessions of the Fallen (Album Review)
Staind – Confessions of the Fallen
Released: September 22nd, 2023
Lineup:
Aaron Lewis | Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Mike Mushok | Guitar
Johnny April | Bass/backing vocals
Sal Giancarelli | Drums
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I won’t go with the obvious line to start this review, but iconic rock band Staind are back with their first studio album in twelve years, Confessions of the Fallen. Drip feeding us singles since April, the full album is here and it is definitely the essence of the world nostalgia for fans of nu-metal adjacent rock fans of the early 00s.
From the first track, which was also the first single they released, ‘Lowest in Me’ that distorted, muddy, bass-heavy sound crashes over you like a wave. This is not a surprise though, especially since we seem to be diving headfirst into a huge nu-metal/early 00s rock resurgence as of late. The one thing that always stands out about this band is just how incredible Aaron Lewis is as a vocalist. His voice helped pioneer the rock vocalist sound back then and continues to be an absolute force.
After a decent start to the album, the next track ‘Was Any of It Real’ starts with an almost Korn/Nine Inch Nails vibe. Sexy. Hypnotic. It feels like it belongs on a soundtrack for an underground vampire film, think Queen of the Damned, Underworld etc. That digitisation has an almost cyber element but it’s the juxtaposition with the rock elements that Staind does so well that gives it life. It is a short track and while there is a little more of this style later in the album, it would have been more satisfying if it had been just a little longer.
Muddy and a little sultry was our first taste, but ‘In This Condition’ gives us a little more dynamics. Switching between distorted and clean guitars keeps the feeling fresh. The riffs are catchy and the mix puts the guitars at centre stage. This is also where we start to hear a little more harshness of the vocals, but we will get to that.
One thing that a lot of heavier music listeners may not realise is that the late 90s/early 00s nu-metal (and the rock adjacent bands) had a huge impact on the lyrical content of what was being discussed. Nu-metal took on a heavier (emotionally) tone and could be quite more introspective, especially in comparison to the metal bands that came before them. Staind were one of those bands who always took that in their stride, especially when you listen to the way Lewis sings. His emotions drench every song and the rest of the band rises to the mood.
Tracks like ‘Here and Now’ and ‘Out of Time’ are brilliant examples of this style. Gut-wrenching, personal and emotional. The former does it in a more classic power ballad style and the latter takes a heavy route.
Remember how I mentioned we would get back to the more harsher style of vocals? In comes ‘Cycle of Hurting’. Lately, it has been evident that this sort of style of nu-metal/rock has influenced a lot of modern metalcore. Bands like Bad Omens and Spiritbox have nods to this style in their music. This track feels almost like a full-circle moment, pardon the pun.
There is a modern influence vocally and guitar-wise, but that influence is the current version of the sound bands like Staind helped create in the first place. The beauty of this track is that it shows the band is not stagnant in their sound. The first half of the album, while great tracks, were not showing anything, we had not heard before from the band so it’s relieving to hear they are still growing as musicians.
I admit I had been worried at the start that this album was just a nostalgia trek. As much as I do like the music of the early 00s, it can be tempting to get stuck in the glory years. ‘The Fray’ also follows suit on the innovation. Yes, it is a solid stadium rock power track, but it still feels so fresh and honestly, deserves a heap of airplay from any radio station playing current rock. There is also an essence of longing and pain that is sewn through this album lyrically and sonically. It is especially evident in the way ‘Better Days’ follows ‘The Fray’. Along with the longing, there also feels like a sense of hope and healing, showing why so many people have always sought refuge in Staind’s music over the years.
The last two tracks finish off the album on a heavy note. ‘Hate Me Too’ puts the rhythm section in the spotlight. Setting the pace for guitars, drummer Sal Giancarelli and bassist Johnny April consistently deliver through this album, but this performance takes the cake. The title track, ‘Confessions of the Fallen’ is a dark finale. It is still fun, but it is a real headbanger that ties together what is overall quite a solid album.
Sometimes bands do not need to reinvent the wheel to put out a great album. The elements of Staind’s music that truly make up their signature sound are front and centre in this album. For a band that has not been consistently releasing music, they are always able to come together and put out something with feeling and intention. While I would love to see them step further into the elements they had started to modernise, you cannot knock a band that remains authentic to who they are.
Staind – Confessions of the Fallen Tracklisting
- Lowest in Me
- Was Any of it Real
- In This Condition
- Here and Now
- Out of Time
- Cycle of Hurting
- The Fray
- Better Days
- Hate Me Too
- Confessions of the Fallen
Rating: 7/10
Confessions of the Fallen is out Sept 22nd via Alchemy Recordings/BMG. Pre-order here.
Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)