ALBUM REVIEW: One Of Us – Self Deception
SELF DECEPTION have been a story in the making for over twenty years, all stemming from an accidental text back in the 2000s. From then, the Swedish rock outfit have worked together to reach higher and higher to create something long-lasting and meaningful. Through their joint efforts, they found themselves busier than ever: producing record after record with Shapes, You Are Only As Sick As Your Secrets, and Destroy The Art. Now as 2026 is underway, they bring their latest work to the public with One Of Us.
Opening with the title track, it’s a call of unity in the deepest dirtiest invitation. With a focus on forming “elegant mosh pit etiquette“, it’s more a command to the crowd rather than to the masses. With an extensive tour history already stacked under their belt, this comes from more their experience in front of the stage rather than atop it. It’s loud, it’s electric, it’s passionate and it brings rock down to its core component: togetherness. When frontman Andreas Clark asks, “Do you have the guts? Are you one of us?“, there is only one correct answer to give back and it’s a guarantee that the answer is yes. And that’s just the beginning.
The four-piece tap into the brutal reality of addiction and losing self-control in vices with Don’t B E L O N G. “Destroy the old you before it destroys you” alone is the most precise quote for supporting those who are struggling with breaking out of bad and downright unhealthy habits, and is as powerful as a punch in the face to bring someone back to the truth before it’s too late. It’s that in-depth realness and relatability that gives metal its trademark of community and support. The ambiguity in what that addiction may be makes it a widespread message to anyone and everyone that it may apply to: whether it’s substances, whether it’s emotional self-abuse, it’s a heavy-metal hug and pat on the back.
Along with this soulful sentiment, it does not compromise the euro-thrashing style that SELF DECEPTION has built their career and fan following on. Pulling heartstrings, like healing, isn’t always smooth and soft, sometimes it’s hard, it’s painful, but in the end it will all feel worth it.
Further down the record is the sky-high abstract storytelling of Ketamine Cowboy, which mixes in some jaunty punk with their glass-shattering riffs. Lyrically it gives a different perspective from the previously played DON’T B E L O N G, as it can be interpreted as a description of the invincible-feeling high given by hard substances; which is where it may get its less-than-serious nature from. Playing on the classic lullaby of Hush Little Baby, Clark leads into a world beyond the stars where he would do anything to make dreams, and trips, come true.
Ending on the confidently hell-bent Goddamn Me, it becomes apparent that SELF DECEPTION are only getting better with age, touring, and experience. Everyone has now become One Of Us.
Rating: 9/10
One Of Us is out now via Napalm Records.
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