I was looking for some thrash metal and Puerto Rican Cardinal Sin was the name I barged into. Fortunately I found the band's music in the net, as I haven't heard these oddities before. I believe many of you haven't, actually. The band released 3 demos, but due to unfortunate events, never got to record their album. 'Resurrection' includes two latter demos (first one was bad and sent only to promote a few shows, tells the printed biography) and 2 other demo tracks (from the first demo, then?!) plus 2 live tracks. And oh yeah, there's a funny cover of Night Ranger song 'Don't Tell Me You Love Me', with a "bit" altered lyrics...

"Pure old school thrash metal" reads on the CD tray and it's true, of course, as two main attractions, namely 'Infanticide' and 'Querer es Poder', were respectively recorded in 1989 and 1991. Even though some of the lyrics deal with social issues, Cardinal Sin weren't a crossover band, but performed USA-style thrash metal in vein of Forbidden, Anthrax (just check out 'Against the Waterfall'), Exodus and Death Angel, to name but a few influences I'm hearing. Songs are full of tempo changes, but are coherent compositions. Mainly, the pace is fast.

Vocals are better on 'Querer...' songs, more in-your-face. Newer demo also sounds a lot, lot better, as it was recorded professionally. Sounds fucking cool even nowadays, even though guitars are a tad blunt. 'Infanticide' sounds too distant, its vocals sound like sung from a street outside your window. That doesn't matter a lot, as the band's performance is highly energetic on all the material.

Yankees can do some good shit, too, as this CD affirms: Hails to KhaosMaster Productions for releasing Cardinal Sin's work, nicely packed with a good biography, loads of photos and lyrics. Cover artwork, however, sucks big time. Do not be put off by it!!! A must for those who crave for pure old school thrash metal. Get this, get beer and get those painkillers for that sore neck morning after. This will surely cause some neckache, believe me. Thrash fanatics need this!

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
04/02/2006 17:57