Ohio’s hardcore outfit Confed is here to deliver some heavy, no-frills hardcore music—and that’s pretty much the gist of it. Their efforts to create intense, hard-hitting music have a few standout moments that are definitely worth noting. The riffs, when they land, are solid with some real groove to them, and the drums—especially the snare and cymbals—actually pack a punch. However, these highlights are overshadowed by some consistent issues throughout the album.

One of the biggest setbacks here is the production, which feels very DIY and raw in all the wrong ways. The mix is off at times, leaving certain elements sounding muddled or inconsistent. The vocals, for instance, often come across as muffled or overly distorted, which makes them difficult to fully appreciate. This weird vocal treatment detracts from the impact of some of the more intense moments. As for the guitars, they sometimes suffer from excessive distortion, which can make the music feel a bit too chaotic or blurry in spots.

On a positive note, the bass is surprisingly strong throughout the record. It cuts through the noise with clarity, giving the album a bit more depth. There are several moments where the bass takes the spotlight with some nice solos, showing off the player’s skills and providing some welcome variation to the overall sound.

Ultimately, Confed’s debut isn’t breaking any new ground in the hardcore scene, but it does offer a heavy experience for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for raw, unpolished hardcore, this album might scratch that itch every once in a while. It’s rough around the edges, but it’s still got some grit. It is what it is.