Iranian-Norwegian metallers Confess are set to re-release their second album “In Pursuit Of Dreams” on November 7th through their EVIN Productions imprint, complete with three previously unheard tracks; “Watch The Decay Of Sun”, “Convention”, and “Face-Off”. The announcement comes ahead of the release of their latest single “Teh-Hell-Ran”, which was released on September 19th!
Speaking about why they opted to re-release the album, frontman Nikan Khosravi has said:
“To mark the 10th anniversary of “In Pursuit of Dreams”, we are proud to announce a reissue of the album, freshly remastered and featuring three previously unreleased songs, finally revealed after a decade.
This isn’t just an album; it’s a piece of history. The last record we dropped while still in Iran, it became a lightning rod for rebellion, defiance, and unapologetic expression. Just two weeks after its release, the authorities arrested us for its incendiary, protest-fuelled lyrics. This was the spark that ignited a movement and put us on the global map. Widely regarded as one of the most impactful and groundbreaking metal albums in the history of the Middle East, we believe “In Pursuit of Dreams” firmly established our place in the metal world.”
The tracklisting for “In Pursuit Of Dreams” is:
- Teh-Hell-Ran
- I’m Your God Now!
- See You on the Other Side
- Thorn Within
- 5 Years in Cave
- What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Exhausted!
- Tsunami of Hate
- New World Order
- Aborted Déjà Vu
- Dysentery
- I Want Nothing More but the Past…
- The Alphabet of Power
- Did You Get My Last Message?
- The Last One Standing
- Watch the Decay of Sun (Bonus Track)
- Convention (Bonus Track)
- Face-Off (Bonus Track)
2025 has been an incredible year for Iranian-Norwegian metallers Confess. Back in January, they released stunning new album, “Destination Addiction”, which was produced by frontman Nikan Khosravi, mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated Alberto De Icaza (Amon Amarth, Clutch, Miss May I, Dead Cross, Upon A Burning Body) and featured performances from extreme metal luminaries George Kollias (Nile) and Marzi Montazeri (ex-Phil Anselmo and Illegals, ex-Superjoint Ritual, ex-Exhorder, Heavy As Texas). Going on to secure rave reviews from the like of Metal Hammer, Norway Rock Magazine, Inferno Magazine, and more.
The band have since been announced for a full feature episode on their story as part of the HULU show “Into The Void: Life, Death & Heavy Metal”, which is set for a US release on September 22nd. Speaking about their inclusion, Khosravi said:
“To have our story told on Hulu and Disney+ by VICE Studios Canada alongside legends like Judas Priest and Randy Rhoads, is unreal. For us, this isn’t just about music. It’s about survival, resistance, and proving that metal has no borders.
Confess has always been about speaking truth through distortion and fury, and this documentary proves that no system can silence metal. We were once called criminals for playing heavy music, now our story is streaming worldwide. That’s not just a win for us. It’s a victory for the entire global metal scene. To be featured alongside the legends we grew up idolizing is an honour we’ll never take lightly. We stand as living proof that metal is alive, dangerous, and unstoppable.”
Formed in 2010 in Tehran, Iran, the band’s ideology reflects the experiences of living under a theoretical political system, combining critiques of organized religion with commentary on sociopolitical issues and personal struggles. Their debut album, “Beginning of Dominion”, was released on January 1st, 2012. By 2014, Confess had released four singles and an EP titled “Back to My Future [2/4]”. The single ‘Encase Your Gun’ emerged after the Iranian regime suppressed the Green Movement in 2009.
Arrests and Imprisonment:
On October 28, 2015, just two weeks after releasing their second album, “In Pursuit of Dreams”, frontman Nikan Khosravi and DJ Arash Ilkhani were arrested by the Revolutionary Guards. They faced charges of blasphemy and propaganda against the state due to their music and interviews. After spending three months in solitary confinement and 15 months in public prison, they were released temporarily on bail pending trial. Initially sentenced to six years each, they appealed the verdict.
Exile and Asylum:
Due to ongoing threats, Nikan fled to Turkey in 2017. In December 2018 he was granted political asylum in Norway. Arash joined him in May 2019 after also seeking asylum in Turkey. In July 2019, in their absence, an appeal court sentenced Nikan to 12 and a half years in prison plus 74 lashes and Arash to two years in prison.
Musical Evolution and Success:
Upon settling in Norway, Confess experimented with seven-string guitars and modern death metal sounds while retaining their signature groove. In 2022, they welcomed three new members and began touring without fear. They released their third album, “Revenge at All Costs”, on January 21, 2022, inspired by their struggles and experiences. The album received critical acclaim, earning high ratings from several metal publications and saw the band featured in prominent media outlets like Sky News, The Guardian and BBC.
Recent Activities:
In September 2022, Confess signed a worldwide management deal with Extreme Management Group in New York. They continued to face challenges from the Iranian regime, including social media attacks, but remained inspired and productive. They supported Nile on their European tour, performing across 11 countries and 16 cities, solidifying their presence in the global metal scene. In September 2024 Confess supported Belphegor and Malevolent Creation on their European run before appearing at the Vagos Metal Fest in Portugal and Viborg Metal Fest in Denmark. The band’s new album “Destination Addiction” released on January 31st, 2025, through EVIN Productions to rave reviews.
More information: https://www.confessband.com/
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