ILL NINO „One Nation Underground”

Music: Latino/Modern Metal
Country: No freaking idea
Website: http://www.illnino.com
Duration: 44.06

For some strange reason, I was completely in another portal of the universe when Latino-Metallers ‘Ill Nino’ hit with ‘Confessions’ and their debut ‘Revolution, Revolucion’. Was that a good thing? Well, perhaps on the strength of their ‘nu-flavoured’ third effort ‘One Nation Underground’, it may have been. But on the other hand, there is something about this bands heavily percussive undertone that makes this album way more appealing (and interesting) than it would otherwise have been.

With Ill Nino’s debut album now clocking in excess of 350,000 copies, plus highly successful stints on the 2002 US/European Ozzfest's, clearly this band has major mainstream metal appeal. ‘One Nation Underground’ will do nothing but solidify that well earned reputation. The most impressive aspect about this new album is the bands ability to find a middle ground between melody and well intentioned heaviness and aggression. Sound and style wise, there is a nice balance that has been achieved with this new disc.

With a suitably slick, modern metal production at the hands of Eddie Wohl and Dan Korneff (with added help from drummer Dave Chavarri), there is ample opportunity for guitarist Jardel Paisante and Ahrue Luster (formerly of you know who!) to lay down a nice rhythmic crunch, whilst infusing loads of Spanish/Flamenco flavoured acoustics throughout. The Latino element is further accentuated via the alternate English/Spanish lyrics and the overtly tropical percussive feel that Danny Couto provides.

As much as Ill Nino has found an acceptable balance with their musical interplay, there is clearly a major ‘accessible’ element about their songwriting. Much of what has been captured here has been deliberately designed around being as ‘catchy’ and melodically involved as possible. Noting this, you’ll find that each and every track is either extremely ‘chorus-friendly’ (and as such will work as great sing along moments in the live setting) or infused with a slightly melancholic feel that requires frontman Christian Machado to provide soaring and impassioned vocals for maximum emotive and heartfelt effect.

‘One Nation Underground’ will no doubt be highly successful for this Latino sextet. From all that I have read, it clearly matches, if not, ups the ante on their last two full lengths. For punters of the Ozzfest scene, Ill Nino is just about the archetypal kind of act that they find so appealing. Aside from their percussive elements, I don’t really see what the big deal is – this is nothing more that a well conceived modern metal album – but if you’re a fan of their earlier material, ‘One Nation..’ should satisfy.

note: 7.1/10

Tracklist

This is War
My Resurrection
What You Deserve
Turns to Gray
De La Vida
La Liberacion of our Awakening
All I Ask For
Corazon of Mine
Everything Beautiful
In This Moment
My Pleasant Torture
Barely Breathing
Violent Saint