Artist: Krisiun
Label: Century Media Records
Release Date: 2/8/05
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Title: Bloodshed Artist: Krisiun Label: Century Media Records Release Date: 2/8/05 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
Am I the only one who keeps hearing the B-52s singing the title of this album in my head? "Blood-shed! Baby, Blood-shed!" Well after that sentence even if I was, I bet I'm not now. Sorry. Anyway, that other Brazilian metal band has released a new album for the death metal masses. If there's one thing to be said for this band, they know what they're fan base wants. And I would be hard pressed to say they didn't deliver, but it seems they have mixed things up a little bit this time.
"One word review: Solid." The Slayer and Morbid Angel influences still dominate the Krisiun landscape, but this latest record seems to have added a European influence as well. Don't worry, it's not like they've started emulating In Flames or Soilwork, but I do detect a certain amount of the Stockholm sound present in this latest recording. Their riffs have a little more bounce to them, and emphasis has been taken off of speed and changes. But these changes are subtle and well contained within the expected Krisiun framework, so even long time fans should be able to take it in stride.
Krisiun still remain decidedly a middle-tier death metal act, but their last two albums have shown that they aren't the static, predictable band that everyone seems to expect. Instead, they are a solid act that knows where their strengths lie, but is also committed to moving forward with regard to their sound (granted, we're talking baby steps here). One word review: Solid.
Death's Review:
Fueling the band's Clash of the Demigods tour with Behemoth and Incantation, Krisiun vocalist Alex Carmargo, guitarist Moyses Kolesne, and drummer Max Kolesne return with a new, eight-track mini-studio album, Bloodshed. The record was recorded in their hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil and features slightly expanded musical palate. Opener "Slain Fate" is a nice example, of mid-tempo, old school Morbid Angel worship combined with Kataklysm, old Sepultura and Slayer. The production is raw and thin yet allows you to hear the intricacy and the technicality in the interplay between the guitars and the drums and the Immolation-style guitar squeals. If you like to bang your head and like tight riffing with old school metal sounding distorted guitars, then you'll dig this record. Of course, this is full on speedy traditional death metal through and through, except for perhaps an expanded midtempo element and a bit more overall "catchiness" and some Slayer-esque harmonized melodic scale runs on the guitars in a few parts. But these songs are as accessible as latter-day Death songs were, probably more so because they are measurably simpler. In my view, this is a positive, and Krisiun have taken a good step forward, showing maturation as a band while still being hyper-aggressive, utilizing the band's inherent musicianship and raging with a full metal attack.
"If you like to bang your head and like tight riffing with old school metal sounding distorted guitars, then you'll dig this record."
Hel's Review:
Krisiun has once again emerged with an enjoyable new release. Bloodshed continues the band’s tradition of honest, unrelenting death metal. Zero bullshit, just a direct blow to the head. Krisiun is nothing if not reliable, both in their musicianship and in their songwriting. They can always be counted upon to provide absolute sonic devastation, delivered with precision.
"Zero bullshit, just a direct blow to the head." Bloodshed shows the band flexing their creative muscles, with some inventive musical passages that verge on progressive and display a true flair for jamming. The hidden track has a very experimental feel, and is worth waiting through the brief silence for.
The band’s one small failing is that their records are unable to capture the electricity of their live presentation. Krisiun’s albums are always great, but live they are truly a force to be reckoned with. With each new album that comes along, I hope they are able to somehow capture that magic, but alas, they have yet to attain this ephemeral quality.
I admit, I always come into a new Krisiun album with high expectations, and they remain one of my favored bands because they always deliver. I continue to hold out on giving them five skulls simply because I know the best is still to come. I look forward to seeing the new material live, and eagerly await their next effort.
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