A Killer’s Confession – Victim 2
A Killer’s Confession – Victim 2
MNRK Heavy
Release Date: 19/09/2025
Review by Beth Morait
9/10
When times get hard, music is always there to pull you through. And that has never been truer for me. So, I’ve picked up my metaphorical pen to write about an album for you again. And this one is for all the Groove Metal fans. A Killer’s Confession is the brainchild of former Mushroomhead frontman, Waylon Reavis, and this new album, “Victim 2” is their 5th studio release. It’s a concept album, getting deep into the mind of a serial killer whose aim is to bring the perpetrators of horrific crimes to justice – nice light topic to cheer us all up! Think the SAW movie series, but in musical form.
‘Hopeless Grey’ opens the album, and instantly sets the tone. Musically, it’s everything you’d expect – Groove Metal with that commercial edge and polished production that we’ve seen from the likes of Mushroomhead and Slipknot over the years. Catchy use of synths, and Industrial-tinged, spiky-sounding guitars take the lead, with a really danceable beat and anthemic chorus. Waylon’s vocals are, as expected, on point, ranging from cleans to growls, and oozing anger.
Track 2, ‘In Case Of Emergency’ takes a more Metalcore turn, but never loses the Groove, and again brings the anthemic singalong chorus. At the midway point of the album, we get a cover of Nirvana’s classic ‘Heart Shaped Box’. Now, I’m always dubious when a band takes an iconic song and reworks it. Often, it turns out to be a musical faux pas. But I think they’ve done an OK job here, but it is very in keeping with the original, just employing modern recording techniques. I can see why it’s here though, and when thrown into the concept it works as a story hook. It’s the most ballad-esque track on the album.
But that lull doesn’t stick around for long, and we launch straight back into the Groove very quickly with ‘Headstone’. This track, especially, feels unhinged, like the serial killer losing their shit, inspired by blood lust and a warped sense of bringing criminals to justice, while detaching themselves from the criminal acts they are committing.
‘Endless Silence’ is another track where we truly feel the insanity of the main protagonist in this story. Whispered vocals, like the Devil on their shoulder, take the lead to start, then build through growls and rasps, all set to a steady metronomic beat like this ticking of a clock. It creates an immense sense of foreboding, and for me is the standout track here.
‘Hand of God’ brings things to a close, reaching the point of the kill. It’s full of madness, the wails of victim 2, and the moments of stark clarity and acceptance that come before death.
This is a really solid album, with perfect production, and a great storyline for those who love a concept. It’s more of what we like, and no-one is trying to reinvent the wheel here. It just does what it says on the tin. And that’s enough for me.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Hopeless Grey
02. In Case of Emergency
03. Hollow
04. Facts
05. Heart Shaped Box
06. Headstone
07. Baptized By The Fire
08. Darkside
09. The Suffering
10. Endless Silence
11. Hand of God
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