review by: Roberto Martinelli
Krisiun’s version of the Jekyll and Hyde duality is being nothing short of a rabid spectacle live, but putting out really sterile, bland albums. The last real stab I gave this band was for Ageless Venemous, which, although played at very high speed, in fact came across as a static bore, largely in part to simple riffs coupled with vocal phrasings of the growled nursery rhyme variety, unchanging tempos, and drums that contained all the brutality that a medium-duty typewriter could muster. Dabbles in subsequent Krisiun recordings that came across the Maelstrom desk yielded similar impressions.
It’s time to start over with AssassiNation, the first truly successful album this trio of Brazilian brothers has put together in terms of perfectly marrying clarity with pummeling heaviness.
Gone is the nursery rhyme syntax; in its place are vocal placements that play more off the music than following along with it in the most basic way. With that said, the vocals themselves aren’t exactly dynamic, serving the music best as another rhythmic element. Alex Camargo’s performance can unfortunately provide a bit of a comic element at times, most notably on "Bloodcraft," whose chorus sounds like "black crap is a black shit" over and over again (that’s not what the lyrics actually are), ironically providing for a greater degree of memorability... and in all fairness, the vocals are delivered well in this song.
The sound of the drums has been vastly improved on. The trigger samples now feature both tremendous attack and a deep, resonating wetness. The guitars and bass are fuller and thus far more apt at conveying the massive pummeling that Krisiun has always set out to do on record, but hasn’t really been able to do, until now. The solos are ever pulled off in concentrated doses of break-neck speed, which will provide even more treats in seeing Moyses Kolesne execute his solos of ubermenschian proportions live.
Stylistically, AssassiNation is super sped-up, old-school death metal presented with the choicest of today’s high-tech production toys. The approach to the songwriting is rather singular, even though Krisiun has graduated from basically a one-trick pony to an animal with one or two more... but what tricks, man. (8.5/10)
review by: Matt Smith
The classic Brazilian trio has done it again: AssassiNation is yet another strong, old-school death release that is certain to please old fans and gain new ones with its ultra-fast riffing and full, brutal sound. Krisiun has been around for 13 years, and the experience shows. Tight instrumentation and a well-seasoned song style have always been a big part of the band, which always brings blazing riffs and deep growls to their endeavors.
AssassiNation also has a good mix of headbanging grooves incorporated into the faster verses, which brings a good variety into the album. "Refusal" is a perfect example of what Krisiun offers with this release: harmonized guitars mixed in with crushing grooves and ample double-bass lines, all accented with quick-fingered riffs and guttural yells.
Listening to this one will make you remember why you love death metal. The whole album is solid, relying on a classic death mentality mixed with excellent production and a few modern-sounding techniques to add the flourishes that keep AssassiNation fresh throughout. This album is a great example of what Krisiun can do: create music that is tight, fierce and technical. Death fans won't go wrong with this one. (8.5/10)
