Facedown Records, celebrating 25 years as a label this year, continues to discover talented bands. Their newest signing, England's own Confessions of a Traitor has been making waves for some time now, thanks in part to a viral video of them ripping a morning set at a cafe in Romania (while patrons eat their breakfast) and a Ryan Kirby feature on their last album.

Confessions of a Traitor, often shortened to COAT, have set out to make a statement here in 2022 with their Facedown debut, Punishing Myself Before God Does. From the captivating artwork to the onslaught of riffs, thundering drums, empassioned vocals, and memorable lines that fans are sure to shout along with at live shows (such as "I can't do this on my own, weighed down by this heart of stone!", and the Winston Churchill-inspired, "If you're going through hell, keep going!") COAT have indeed made a statement. That's not to say that the band has reinvented the wheel here, but they have crafted an excellent metalcore album that mixes in plenty of other influences and breathes some fresh air into the heavy music scene.

Punishing Myself Before God Does is a deeply personal album and displays a very wide range of emotions and topics. This is most clearly heard on "Caring for Those Who Cared for Us," which details the struggle and pain of caring for a loved one suffering from dementia. It serves as a powerful and heartbreaking tribute with vocalist Stephen MacConville pledging, "I know you can't remember, just know I'll never forget." Other topics addressed by the band include overcoming sin, working through loss, finding healing, and mental health.

Confessions of a Traitor is one of those road warrior-type bands who have tirelessly worked at their craft for years. Punishing Myself Before God Does is proof of COAT's work ethic and talent. It's a solid debut that fits in perfectly with Facedown's prolific catalog.

- Review date: 9/14/22, written by John Amos for Jesusfreakhideout.com