Artist: Krisiun
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 8/7/01
|
|
Title: Ageless Venomous Artist: Krisiun Label: Century Media Release Date: 8/7/01 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
2 | ||
|
4 | ||
|
3 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
The kings of confusing album titles return! Seriously, I realize these guys are from Brazil, and their English is probably much better than my Portuguese, but jeez, doesn’t anyone around them have the sense to tell them that their album titles don’t make any sense? Remember Conquerors of Armageddon? How the hell do you conquer Armageddon? It’s an event. Do you wait until it’s over and stick a flag in the ground? What’s next? Victors of High Tide? I just don’t get it. Well now we have their latest effort, Ageless Venomous. Okay, quick English lesson, two adjectives does not an album title make. What’s ageless and venomous? Wow, that’s a better album title right there, Ageless and Venomous, heck, and I wasn’t even trying. Maybe I’ll just throw twenty adjectives out there for this review, and you can just try to figure out what they should be applied to.
"Anyway, stupid titles aside, those of you who know Krisiun pretty much know what to expect."
Anyway, stupid titles aside, those of you who know Krisiun pretty much know what to expect. These guys were heavily influenced by Slayer and Morbid Angel. If the last album was a little more Slayer-ishy this one is a little more Morbid Angel-ishy (Spell check loved that sentence). The problem for me when it comes to this band is that they are very derivative and I lose interest quickly. I listened to the last album a lot and gave it a good review, but a month later I found it kinda boring… I’d just heard it all before. Not to say these guys aren’t good, they’re just firmly entrenched in the middle tier of death metal outfits. While I wouldn’t hesitate to jump on the train and see them when they come to town, I’m less enthusiastic to recommend spending $16 bucks on this record when there is so much great stuff out there. The production on this disc is also a little suspect, with the drums sounding synthetic as well as being mixed way too high.
"Not to say these guys aren’t good, they’re just firmly entrenched in the middle tier of death metal outfits." I don’t want to be too harsh, however, because there are some great moments on this record. The song “Eyes of Eternal Scourge” springs to mind. The problem is that all of the good parts are scattered amongst a lot of filler. The vocals are a highlight, however, coming across guttural and menacing, and this album does seem much more technically adept than their last effort, but the songwriting caliber just isn’t above par yet. I’m not giving up on this band because just a few minor changes could put them over the top, but they ain’t there yet. One word review: Okay.
Death's Review:
Krisiun are pure brutal, death metal. They almost personify the latest evolution of the grand, brutally technical, blasphemous and hyperkinetic metallic tradition begun by Slayer so many moons ago. Krisiun are killer metal warriors. They love Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel and Immolation and Slayer. They support the underground scene, trade tapes and read fanzines. And this total love of brutal metal comes across throughout Ageless Venomous. Every riff is so totally, uncompromisingly metal, it just proves what posers all the 80's bands I used to love have become. For example, try listening to the latest release from fellow Brazilians Sepultura next to this shit. The distinction is laughable.
"Every riff is so totally, uncompromisingly metal, it just proves what posers all the 80's bands I used to love have become."
Plus, Krisiun are KILLER musicians. Drummer Max Kolesne is one of the best the genre has to offer, like Lombardo, Sandoval and Hoglan all rolled into one. And on Ageless Venomous, guitarist Moyses Kolesne spews forth an endless supply of technical, intricate and catchy riffs, more so than on Conquerors of Armageddon, Krisiun's previous release. Think South of Heaven meets Extreme Aggression meets the entire Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel catalogues and you'll begin to get the idea. If you love to bang your fucking head, and like ultra-fast Slayer-style riffing with evil lyrical themes and crazy blast beats connected by super-human drum fills, you'll like Krisiun and will enjoy Ageless Venomous.
"This is otherwise a potentially classic metal record, and the mix may unfortunately cause some people to discount it too quickly." That said, some will be put off by the mix, which essentially attempts to capitalize on drummer Koleske's unholy talent and unrelenting brutality by presenting the drums almost as a lead instrument. The popcorn sound to the drum tracks will definitely take some getting used to. It is almost like this was a special rehearsal mix made for a drummer so he could hear precisely what Kolesne is doing. I love the drums, but I'd prefer a bit more in the guitar department. This is otherwise a potentially classic metal record, and the mix may unfortunately cause some people to discount it too quickly.
Hel's Review:
Favorite Tracks: "Ravenous Hordes" and "Saviour's Blood" Krisiun = three-piece Brazilian death metal band. More remarkable than even the fact that they are able to generate as much sound as they do with so few instruments, is the fact that the drums are basically the lead instrument in their music.
"A quality death metal band, which has put out a collection of brutal, technically astounding, riff-filled songs." On this album, the drums were clearly mixed to emphasize that fact, and at first listen, seemed to overbalance the overall sound. Playing with the knobs on the stereo of the crappy rental car I had this weekend, I came to realize that, while outwardly distracting, it actually made a lot of sense to have them mixed so high. Without being able to hear the drums that well, a lot of intricacy and depth is lost. However, it is really damn distracting! There are definitely two sides to this particular coin.
Balance issues aside, I think this is a quality death metal band, which has put out a collection of brutal, technically astounding, riff-filled songs. The drummer is truly phenomenal, as is his brother and the other guy. The utilization of introductory passages is nice - the sound of crackling flames is always a good start to a death metal song - and I always appreciate the efforts at actual songwriting that these sorts of devices imply.
"In the end, I think this album is not as good as it should be." In the end, I think this album is not as good as it should be. If you can get your mind around the way the drums sound, and find a way for it not to distract you too much, I think there is definitely true quality to be found. I have enjoyed this band in the past, and I continue to do so now. In essence, I believe this is truly a 4 skull album, but since the production is undeniably an issue, as much as I don't want to, I think I have to give Ageless Venomous 3 skulls. But let me make one thing extremely clear - as a death metal fan, I believe Krisiun is a band with a lot to offer, and should be fully supported by fans of the genre. Buy this anyway - support death.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.