TRAITORS Confront Our Phobias with Unrelenting Brutality – Album Review

Traitors have been a relentless force in the deathcore scene since their formation in 2013. With their crushingly heavy sound and unrelenting aggression, they pioneered the downtempo deathcore movement. Their latest release, Phobias, continues their tradition of delivering bone-crushing breakdowns, haunting atmospheres, and gut-wrenching lyricism. With this album, the Florida-based band showcases their evolution while remaining true to their signature brutality.

From the first moments of Phobias, it’s evident that Traitors have meticulously refined their production quality. Every instrument is given space to breathe while maintaining an all-encompassing wall of sound that hits with surgical precision. The guitars are thick and sludgy, the bass rumbles ominously beneath the mix, and the drums—delivered with pinpoint aggression—bring a relentless drive to every track. Vocally, the performance is nothing short of punishing, with guttural lows and enraged highs perfectly complementing the album’s dark themes.

What sets Phobias apart is its ability to maintain intensity without becoming monotonous. Each track has its own identity, utilizing unique tempo changes, eerie atmospheres, and dynamic breakdowns that keep the listener engaged. The transitions between songs feel deliberate, with the “Intro” setting a foreboding tone that seamlessly bleeds into the devastating “SBC.”

The mid-album “Interlude” provides a brief yet jarring moment of contrast, featuring minimal instrumentation and a jazz-inspired riff that momentarily disorients before “Trauma Bond” slams the listener back into chaos. The use of subtle melodic textures in “No Witness” adds a refreshing depth, while “10DXM” closes the album with a climactic, suffocating heaviness that lingers long after the final note.

Standout Tracks

• Deprive (Not Enough) – A relentless assault of breakdowns and tempo shifts that embodies everything fans love about Traitors.
• Trauma Bond – A haunting yet brutally cathartic track, packed with crushing grooves that will keep the pit moving nonstop.
• 10DXM – The perfect closer, delivering suffocating heaviness and eerie atmospheres in equal measure.

With Phobias, Traitors crafted an album that feels deeply personal and universally punishing. It’s a testament to their growth as musicians while still maintaining the raw intensity that made them stand out in the first place. The album doesn’t just cater to longtime fans—it pushes the boundaries of what downtempo deathcore can be, making it an essential listen for anyone craving heaviness with depth.

Does Phobias reinvent the wheel? Not necessarily. But it refines it to near perfection, proving that Traitors remain at the top of their game. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering them, this album is a crushing, cathartic experience that demands to be played at maximum volume.