Krisiun
Southern Storm

For almost twenty years intent on being the Sepultura of brutal death metal, the Brazilian band Krisiun, one of the most capable, appreciated, and inspirational bands in the extreme scene emerging from South American territories (the album's title is indeed a reference to their lands), succeeded in 2008, after 16 years past their first demo "The Plague," in delivering their (so far) absolute masterpiece, something rather unusual.

Typically, the "important" albums of a band with a mid-length career like Krisiun's are found among the earlier records, and indeed, one of the combo's best albums was "Conquerors Of Armageddon," the third seal of Alex Camargo (bass and vocals) and the Kolesne brothers (Max on drums and Moyses on guitar). However, the latest product "Southern Storm" is definitely a step forward compared to the other valuable records in Krisiun's extensive discography; it beats the third album, it beats "Works Of Carnage," it beats the previous "AssassiNation." Why?

Krisiun's songwriting that recaps and skillfully collages the teachings of the masters Deicide, Morbid Angel, and Cannibal Corpse, with the spirit of Sepultura and the Slayer-esque riffs always present, was already well-refined before; the quest for violent and putrid atmospheres was the same. It is in production and execution where the trio made great strides.

A precise, hammering rhythm section, on the brink of musical surgery, guitars finally "fat," powerful, but above all solos well-highlighted, and a quite convincing vocal performance (the singer-bassist is increasingly Vincent-dependent).

From the successful mix of songwriting and production finally at excellent levels, emerge the 13 cannonballs (12 if we don't consider the cover of "Refuse Resist", a rather successful brutal reinterpretation of the classic by fellow countrymen Sepultura) that make up the album, from the initial blast of "Slaying Steel" (one of the most spot-on death metal openers in recent years) it's a succession of pieces rich in class and aggression, like the well-structured "Massacre Under The Sun", "Minotaur" and "Sons Of Pest" (where the influence of the Cavalera brothers from the "Chaos A.D." era is more evident, especially in the more cadenced parts, always in a more extreme context than the proposal of the Belo Horizonte group), the captivating "Sentenced Morning" and "Contradictions Of Decay" (the tracks most suited to the live situation, supported by a repetitive yet compelling riffing that "lodges" into the head of the unaware listener), the more traditional and extremist death metal slaps of "Combustion Inferno", "Bleeding Offers" and "Origin Of Terror", the technicalities of "Twisting Sights", and there's even room for an acoustic interlude ("Black Wind") in full Morbid Angel style, leading us to the conclusion of the overwhelming and distressing "Whore Of The Unlight" which somewhat summarizes all the elements and nuances of the 12 preceding pieces.

Even though I have long appreciated Krisiun, I didn't expect to be this struck by an album that, almost two years later, is still a frequent guest in my playlists. This review is aimed at all Death Metal enthusiasts, but especially at those who would never have expected such a great album from an "static" band (this is not necessarily a negative trait, as I still consider their previous albums to be very good, apart from some exceptions) like Krisiun.