Ill Niño – Dead New World (Victory)
Sometimes bands who are tainted by association with the universally reviled genre of nu-metal are condemned unfairly; bands like that (Slipknot, Chimaira, Killswitch Engage) are easy to defend, because their music speaks for itself. However, a band like Ill Niño is on much shakier territory. Sure, they have heavy parts on their songs, and incorporate some of Sepultura’s Latin percussion influences, but their clean, polished choruses drag them back down every time. Ultimately, these guys only demonstrate their sonic resemblance to bands like Korn and Sevendust, proving that they deserve the tag of nu-metal after all.
Red Mass – Red Mass (Semprini)
This is the sort of minimally distorted three-chord punk rock that heavily emphasises its rock n’ roll roots. As such, Red Mass are doing something that’s been done many times before. They do have a few good hooks, but for the most part this is repetitive, generic and boring.
As They Sleep – Dynasty (Solid State)
This is a heavy, pounding record with standard metal production, Swedish-style leads, and deep, growly vocals. Nonetheless, the things that keep my interest are its melodic moments, the way it manages to be subtly catchy without ever sacrificing an intrinsic heaviness. Not tremendously original, but worth a listen.
Ill Niño – Dead New World (Victory)
Sometimes bands who are tainted by association with the universally reviled genre of nu-metal are condemned unfairly; bands like that (Slipknot, Chimaira, Killswitch Engage) are easy to defend, because their music speaks for itself. However, a band like Ill Niño is on much shakier territory. Sure, they have heavy parts on their songs, and incorporate some of Sepultura’s Latin percussion influences, but their clean, polished choruses drag them back down every time. Ultimately, these guys only demonstrate their sonic resemblance to bands like Korn and Sevendust, proving that they deserve the tag of nu-metal after all.
Red Mass – Red Mass (Semprini)
This is the sort of minimally distorted three-chord punk rock that heavily emphasises its rock n’ roll roots. As such, Red Mass are doing something that’s been done many times before. They do have a few good hooks, but for the most part this is repetitive, generic and boring.
As They Sleep – Dynasty (Solid State)
This is a heavy, pounding record with standard metal production, Swedish-style leads, and deep, growly vocals. Nonetheless, the things that keep my interest are its melodic moments, the way it manages to be subtly catchy without ever sacrificing an intrinsic heaviness. Not tremendously original, but worth a listen.
