Review: ILL Nino “Epidemia” (2012)

Reviewed by David Pearce

Artist: ILL Nino
Album: Epidemia
Label: Victory Records – The World (Except Europe & UK), AFM Records Europe & UK
Year: October 26th 2012 Out Everywhere in Europe on AFM Records

Track Listing

1. The Depression
2. Only The Unloved
3. La Epidemia
4. Eva
5. Demi-God
6. Death Wants More
7. Escape
8. Time Won’t Save You
9. Forgive Me Father
10. Invisible People

Distinguished hard rock mainstays ILL NIÑO look to raise the bar even higher with their sixth full-length studio album, Epidemia, on the horizon. ILL NIÑO frontman Cristian Machado commented, “It’s 2012 and we’re all still alive. It’s time to redefine Latin metal.” Drummer and founder Dave Chavarri added, “This time around, we want to explore Latin and tribal rhythms we have never explored in the past five releases, giving us no musical boundaries at all.” Known for their bilingual vocals and signature blend of Latin-influenced, aggressive modern metal, ILL NIÑO have been a pinnacle artist in their genre going into their 15th year as a band. ILL NIÑO have come this far due to their incredible work ethic, performing thousands of shows worldwide, achieving significant radio and music videos success, and selling more than a million albums in the process. ILL NIÑO have managed to mix the ferocity and melody of all five previous releases together creating the leanest, meanest and most beautifully violent album of their career. To support Epidemia, ILL NIÑO will be on a full North American tour this fall with HED PE and don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon with touring plans throughout 2013 already in the works.

The album starts kicks off with The Depression the song starts off with a small intro before the song kicks off with the guitars and harsh vocals. The song is a good start to the album halfway through the album the vocals change to clean lyrics then back into harsh vocals which is the ILL Nino trademark sound. But the song itself is really good it has everything you need in it. The Second and Third songs are Only The Unloved and La Epidemia these songs are full of the same quality harsh and clean vocals, guitar riffs, solos and pounding drums that you need from a quality album. The Fourth song on the album is Eva this starts off with the guitars then vocals come in clean but with purpose. The song has some really good guitar riffs in and some really good vocals I like the guitar sound on this one it is really done well. The Fifth and Sixth songs are Demi-God and Death Wants More these songs have some great riffs, vocals and drumbeats in them they also have been well produced and thought of how they will fit into the album just what you would expect from them. The Seventh song is Escape starts off with a the drums and guitars along side them then the vocals come in harsh at first then alternating between harsh and clean which goes very well. The guitar work is superb as usual on this song cannot fault it at all gets my head nodding which is always a good thing. The Eighth and Ninth songs on the album are Time Won’t Save You and Forgive Me Father the song Time Won’t Save You starts off at a slower tempo to all the other songs on the album which is a nice change. The song does get heavier but the tempo is still slower than any of the other songs on the album so far. But it works well in the album on the whole. The tempo raises a little with Forgive Me Father but still it is a really well worked song with some really good vocal work, guitar riffs and drumbeats. The Tenth and last song on the album is Invisible People starts off with a little guitar riff then after a few bar straight in with the harsh vocals which go between harsh and clean throughout the song. The guitar work is second to none it is just so well done, as are the drums and bass lines throughout the album. This song is a great ending to the album it is just what you need to finish an album of this quality.

Overall

ILL Nino has produced a really good quality album I must admit the have redefine Latin metal once again with this album. This is their Sixth full-length album in their 15-year career as a band and I can tell you if they can produce an album like this there is no stopping them to be around for a lot longer. I was really impressed by this and I am looking forward to more from these guys in the future.

8/10

Band Members

Cristian Mercado – Lead Vocals
Dave Chavarri – Drums
Ahrue Luster – Lead Guitar
Diego Verduzco – Rhythm Guitar
Laz Pina – Bass
Daniel Couto – Percussion

Website

http://www.illnino.com
http://www.myspace.com/illnino

Booking agent

http://www.facebook.com/TKOagencyuk