Neuromuerte

I discovered the band under scrutiny here by myself, shortly after their sophomore’s release, and later recommended it to quite a few fans, most of whom liked it quite a bit. And what’s not to like: straight-ahead bombastic retro speed/thrash (the debut); epic progressive power/speed (the sophomore); stylized prog/tech-thrash (“Agresivo”), not much unchecked aggression on that one… an all-cover compilation (“Raices”) of renowned Argentine rock/metal acts… shall I go on?

So far it sounds like the guys aren't quite certain which path to take and to stay on, but homogeneity has become the name of the game on the band’s last two instalments, engaging carefully-plotted progressive power/speed/thrash conglomerates with quite a few nuances intertwined, including moments from the ballad and doom metal realms. The stylistic diversity has also been handled quite deftly on the album reviewed here, and not only but it seems like it has hit some kind of a peak from both an execution and structural point-of-view.

Non-fussy and direct initially with the ripping “Me Cago en tus Muertos”, a hard thrashing number which only purpose is to instigate a sizzling “Reigh in Blood”-esque pogo. The mosh goes on on “Kendash” but this is already a more contrived delivery, with flashy Shrapnel-like leads and more carefully-plotted developments. Later on the guys alternate the two sides with fast-paced skirmishes (“Matar sin que Mueras”) taking turns with more pensive progressivers (“Aura de Cristal”), but it’s the shorter dynamic technicallers like “Rigidez Calavirica” and “El Bien Animal” that deliver the goods in the most handsome manner, speedy contrived balls of stylized fury which will delight all walks of thrash fans, the dramatic melodic odyssey “Ensuenos” putting an end to the instilled lofty tech-thrash carnival although later both the wonderfully hectic “Muriу Sonriendo” and the epic progressive saga “El Misero Encuentro con su Espejo” serve quite a few pleasant moment for the more demanding audience.

Great malicious stuff, including in the vocal department, Maximiliano Escobar, also one of the guitar players, pouring his attached high-strung clean antics with passion and drama, at times even coming close to the tenor-like frequencies. No complaints here, we like it high, we like it pathos-inducing, and what’s most important is that his multifarious singing feats perfectly fit the music, the man racing with the prevalent speedy rushes, becoming more belligerent in the process. This is arguably the band’s most dynamic fare, there’s quite a bit of energy involved, the intense thrashy implements showing up everywhere, including on the more imposing moments; there’s no avoiding those but I doubt that anyone would want to run and hide exposed to them: the band simply want to mosh, but mosh with quite a bit of thought put behind it, the final outcome again strictly in the tech/prog-thrash camp.

So have no worries, you won’t get wasted instantly if falling into the hands of the Argentine militia… sorry, malicia: you’ll be spared, and you’ll be given the opportunity to savour their art… however, if you show even the slightest sign of displeasure while savouring it, slow painful neurodeath would be the most pleasant demise they’d arrange for you.