Artist: Krisiun
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 3/7/00
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Title: Conquerors of Armageddon Artist: Krisiun Label: Century Media Release Date: 3/7/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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4 | ||
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4 | ||
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4 | ||
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Due to the buzz around me (and in me), I got a chance to see Krisiun at the Milwaukee Metalfest last year, and I remember being rather impressed. So I was excited to find out that they were the next band that would be reviewed on our site. Conquerors… is the debut of these Brazilian lads on Century Media, and I, for one, am not disappointed. Fast paced, American-influenced death is the style that we have here, but don't write these boys off as Sepultura spawn. While Sepul was an awesome band, they were less influenced by the death movement than the thrash movement, and unfortunately, every band that comes out of Brazil from now on will have to put up with the comparisons. I hear much more Morbid Angel than Slayer in this band, but they're by no means clones.
"The song structures and use of different effects help make this a unique and pleasurable experience." This band was great live, and after reading the extensive touring they've done recently, it's no surprise why. Most of the album is mid-paced death, but time changes are employed often and effectively. But where this band excels more is in the execution rather than the songwriting. Indeed, the songs themselves can sometimes be a little repetitive, and the solos themselves are hit-or-miss (in all fairness they are mostly hit.) But the song structures and use of different effects help make this a unique and pleasurable experience. One of my early favorites is the track, "Soul Devourer" as well as the unrelenting "Iron Stakes," but all are quality, exhibiting excellent drumming sounds and ability, as well as a vocalist with a cool growl, even if it is something we've heard before.
I've heard this band's name along with the likes of Angelcorpse and Pessimist, and while I don't know enough of Pessimist's catalogue to comment, I see this album as being more successful than the last two from Angelcorpse (who I consider a great live act, but so far their albums seem to have been lacking the right sound.) With more listens I think the songs will come more into their own. Can't wait to see them live again.
Death's Review:
The most surprising thing about Brazil's Krisiun is that it's not only fans of early nineties, Florida-style death metal (like Cannibal Corpse or Morbid Angel) who will love them. Instead, metalheads hailing from all parts may want to raise a glass in praise of this relentless metallic assault. The band may already be somewhat known to many in the metal underground through a decade's worth of demos, two full-lengths, and touring stints with the likes of Cradle of Filth, Kreator, Morbid Angel and Dimmu Borgir. Nevertheless, with Conquerors, Krisiun make their Century Media debut and the results are outstanding. With a killer production, tight execution, monster riffs, bombastic drumming and ripping leads, the band carries the torch of American death metal just like fellow countrymen Sepultura once carried the torch of American-style thrash.
Check out the opening seconds of "Cursed Scrolls," for an excellent example of all that is right with this record. Pounding drums propelling brutally rapid-fire riffage is the name of the game here. The balance of the song so expertly walks the line between death and thrash, all the while throwing out several different parts and time changes, that you'll eat it up no matter which perspective you appreciate it from.
"If you're looking for brutal power and intense speed executed with killer chops and a healthy respect for death's thrash and speed metal roots, check out Krisiun. You'll be glad you did." But make no mistake about it, Krisiun is clearly a death metal band. It's just that the general attack and overall feel of songs like the title track, "Abyssal Gates" or the awesome "Hate Inherent" is so undeniably metal that it seems as much descended from Dark Angel, Motorhead, Sepultura or early Kreator as it obviously does Cannibal Corpse. I doubt you can listen to Conquerors once all the way through without involuntarily bobbing your head old-school thrash-style at least a couple of times.
Krisiun's expert musicianship only adds to the intensity. Moyses Kolesne's guitar work is technically proficient, emotional and often classically-inspired (check out the solo to "Abyssal Gates" or the ending solo and harmonized scale in "Endless Madness Descends".) Max Kolesse's drum work is athletic and powerful. Alex Carmago's vocal growl ensures the band's firm grounding in traditional death roots. Together they have made a fantastic record. If you're looking for brutal power and intense speed executed with killer chops and a healthy respect for death's thrash and speed metal roots, check out Krisiun. You'll be glad you did.
Hel's Review:
As a general rule, I like Brazilian death metal bands. Krisiun upholds this rule with a vengeance. The music is just as you expect - fast, riff-y, heavy. The vocals are just as you expect - deep, gritty, vicious. The drums are as sickly rapid as you could want.
It is so straightforward, in fact, that you should run out and buy it right now if you are a huge fan of the genre. If you despise death metal, well, you know you won’t like it, but you should check it out for the sake of being well versed. My only real criticism of this album is that they do not necessarily display a level of ingenuity beyond the basic death metal mold, but they do what they do and they do it very well
"Conquerors of Armageddon is a fun disk, chock-full of frantic death metal mayhem." There are certainly moments of brilliance. "Cursed Scrolls" is a driving attack. It really has that running-out-of-control-down-a-steep-hill feel to it. Hmmm... I think I could say that about most of these tracks... "Endless Madness Descends" has a very cool effect on the vocals that really makes it sound like a demon shrieking from hell. Definitely a bonus. "Abyssal Gates" features an extended intro with lots of fast heavy riffs before the vocals begin in a higher-pitched growl, and the song continues changing every few measures, including a very cool "solo" section somewhere in the center of this epic track.
Sometimes I must wonder at the fact that I like nearly every album that I review. At times, I feel like maybe I’m too easy - after all, it can’t all be that good. But I try to review each album as free from my own personal prejudices as possible, and I have often given out more skulls as a result. I try to listen to each with the same respect that an avid fan of the style would, and enjoy it as such. Occasionally I will step back and realize that, on my own, I’d give the album I was currently listening to three skulls where I’d just given it four in my review.
This is an album that I enjoyed not only on the level of the reviewer, but on the level of my inner metalhead. Conquerors of Armageddon is a fun disk, chock-full of frantic death metal mayhem.
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