Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Krisiun - Works of Carnage - Reviewed by Grim Gaijin

Track Listing1) Thorns of Heaven 2) Murder 3) Ethereal World 4) Works of Carnage 5) Slaughtering Void 6) Scourged Centuries 7) War Ritual 8) Wolfen Tyranny 9) Sentinel of the Fallen Earth 10) Shadows 11) In League With Satan 12) Outro

Brazil's Krisiun is one of my all time favorite Death Metal bands. So, for my review here, I will try to be as non-biased as possible. Anyone familiar with Krisiun and their music know that over the course of their 6 albums, they have consistently delivered some of the fastest, rawest and most skillful death metal ever released. From the limited release of Unmerciful Order to their latest outing Works of Carnage, Krisiun remain one of Death Metals best kept secret, albeit their increasing popularity.

With Works of Carnage, Krisiun deliver a more brutal attack then 2002's Ageless Venomous. The songs are still ultra-fast, contain masterful riffs, and expel some of the fastest blast beats ever recorded. However, what stands out on this record is the decline in production. If you remember listening to Ageless Venomous, then you remember how crisp and over produced it was, and how the effects of the production took away from the brutality of the music. On Works of Carnage, the production is more in the vein of The Conquerors of Armageddon. I've always thought that the perfect Krisiun CD would be the music of Black Force Domain with the same production as The Conquerors of Armageddon.

The only thing that stands out on this CD, is the cover version of Venom's In League With Satan. Although it is a great song, it totally stands out from the rest of the "carnage". I've never been a fan of Cover songs, especially on a Death Metal CD, but Krisiun does a great job introducing blast beats to this mid-80's Black Metal classic.

For old Krisiun fans, don't expect anything new; just their typical in-your-face brand of blast beat death metal. For new fans of Krisiun, be prepared for some of the most brutal death metal around.

--Grim Gaijin 02.20.04