Death, thrash, black. Brutality, rawness, profanity. Polish band Stillborn's, who formed in 1997, fourth coming 'Los Asesinos del Sur' surely possesses all those traits, and more...

And that means all kinds of cool things from 1980s and early 1990s, as there is no modern bullshit to be heard on this platter. Stillborn's attacking, militaristic take on extremities is on rawer side of things. The album starts with short and sweet intro to armageddon, where sirens wail and metal plays! Stillborn may heave some familiar riffs, but it does not really matter, because I at least cannot place where they are lifted from, if anywhere. At times, these Poles manage to sound pretty characteristic, which is very rare in nowadays world. No matter if it's familiar or more of Stillborn's own style, some of the stuff that the band darts are such surgical strikes, that one can but grow spiky gauntlets and wail like a banshee with the music. Stillborn differ from many a Polish band, and do sound unlike Polish legends such as Vader and Behemoth for example. Stillborn is like a mixture, of its own kind, of Impiety (not as raw nor blackish alone), Krisiun (not as precise nor deathy alone), and why not belligerent Aussies Destroyer 666.

The guitar work is finger-melting. I like the squeals and scrapes, that those rusty sharp-edged instruments are capable of here. The rhythm section are able to enter heavy-duty manic temper. To my surprise, it was already on song number two, where the band shifted to slower gear. The band really know when it is time to give a breather for a listener, too. The bass is really well audible in all this chaos. The album sounds dirty, raw and organic. This is mixed really well, as every element of the music is audible enough and none is exaggerated or overlaying. Well, there are some moments, where it sounds like another song was penetrating through, like happens on 'Kot Wolanda'. This occurs because of disharmonics, which often are pretty intense. The vocals are growled and throaty, plus there are various scream and shouts. All in all, very varied and nasty, picking practices from all extreme genres that the band ramble in.

Stillborn bewilders with sharp riffage and well composed song material. Their energetic and barbaric performance crowns it all, making 'Los Asesinos del Sur' a true surprise attack, that should please even the most bloodthirsty maniaxxx out there wanting to hear some new raw, blackish deathrash chaos.

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/25/2011 09:12