Krisiun - _Works of Carnage_
(Century Media, 2003)
by: Jackie Smit (9 out of 10)
Dammit, just when it seemed as though the Great Death Metal Blitz of 2003 could seemingly grow no more intense, the Brazilian answer to sonic Armageddon return with their fifth and undoubtedly finest offering. Of course, Krisiun, perhaps moreso than most, needed to deliver the goods this time round. After the excellent _Black Force Domain_ and _Apocalyptic Revelation_ records, their Century Media debut _Conquerors of Armageddon_ already started sporting cracks in their critically acclaimed veneer. By the time they released the soulless, Eric Rutan-produced dirge that was _Ageless Venomous_, it appeared that the brothers Kolesne had lost their touch. Thankfully however, it seems that such was never the case.

To call _Works of Carnage_ a raging beast of an album would belittle its impact. Produced by Pierre Remillard (Cryptopsy, Gorguts, Anvil, etc.), the record instantly sounds simultaneously brutal and fresh. Like a wounded mythological behemoth determined to protect its turf, opening tracks "Thorns of Heaven" and "Murderer" seethe with an intensity that few manage to surpass, and introduce melodic textures and a level of rhythmic dynamics that one would never have expected to hear on a Krisiun record. Which is not to say that the band have departed from their trademark hyperspeed assault, however -– there are indeed precious few moments of comparative sloth to be found on the album. This time round though, Max Kolesne has diversified and expanded his drumming approach, which immeasurably improves upon the traditional Krisiun blueprint. By the same token, Alex Camargo's voice is superbly blistering as he rages through highlights like "Sentinel of the Fallen Earth" and "Ethereal World".

While the album's closing cover of Venom's "In League With Satan" is perhaps somewhat ill-advised in that it sounds rather like a parody that unwittingly derides the album's claustrophobic ferocity to a certain extent, _Works of Carnage_ is undoubtedly a worthy contender in a year that has already witnessed some outstanding releases, as well as a fantastic return to form for the Brazilian kings of death metal. Long may they reign.

(article published 12/9/2003)


CHATS
2/9/2005 J Smit Krisiun: Devastation Is on the Way
6/10/2003 J Smit Krisiun: The Carnage Continues
25/5/2000 P Schwarz Krisiun: Kneel Before the Conquerors of Armageddon
ALBUMS
2/7/2008 J Smit 9 Krisiun - Southern Storm
17/2/2006 J Smit 9 Krisiun - AssassiNation
30/9/2004 J Smit 9 Krisiun - Bloodshed
25/5/2000 P Schwarz 9 Krisiun - Conquerors of Armageddon
19/5/1999 P Schwarz 9 Krisiun - Apocalyptic Revelation
GIGS
31/10/2004 J Smit Krisiun / Behemoth / Incantation / Ragnarok A Beauteous Riot
5/3/2000 M Noll Morbid Angel / Gorgoroth / God Dethroned / Amon Amarth / Krisiun / Occult Formulas Fatal to Gorgoroth
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