Mie Prefecture's hardcore trio CONFRONT formed in 2003. This compilation CD contains a total of 9 songs with solid driving Japanese Hardcore sound taken from V/A 2018 until 2020 which from V/A Flat Out On Four wheels, Freedom No Frames Hardcore, Split Different Shouts and Grind Bastards. The raging hot-blooded Japanese Hardcore with full throttle and metallic Hardcore!.
Review by: Britton Dicks
I usually only try and review physical copies of albums because I like to talk about not just music, but the album’s lyrics, artwork, layout, etc. as well, but I heard a snippet of the Japanese band Confront’s new album “Guilty Or Not Guilty” and liked it so much I decided to review the Bandcamp version of the album. This album is from beginning to end mostly a fast, furious attack of hardcore punk aggression! To me it resembles early to mid-80’s U.S. style punk when all of the bands were trying to be faster than the next band. That said, it has a sense of melody I love and even some great guitar solos and leads. It‘s like a mix of Minor Threat and the hardcore D.R.I. albums, but with a better production. When the music slows it sounds a bit like a faster and heavier Husker Du and it even gets a bit thrashy at times! The vocalist has a very true old school hardcore delivery, but he actually sings here and there as well. It’s all very anthemic and makes me want to get up and slam dance through a wall or two. I fucking love it! Like I stated earlier, I am reviewing the Bandcamp version of the album, so I can’t comment on what the lyrics are about, but a gander at the song titles should clue you in as to what they are about. The cover art shows a blindfolded girl kneeling in a room that has vines or some evil shit winding their way into the room. This was a breath of fresh air for me. I have always loved punk and hardcore almost as much as I love heavy metal. If you like your punk fast as hell and easy to sing along with, you’d do well to add “Guilty Or Not Guilty?” to your collection.
