Asesino - Cristo Satanico
Listenable - POSH0100 - 4 February 2008
By Paddy Walsh
Asesino is yet another project of Dino Cazares' (ex-
Fear Factory,
Brujeria,
Divine Heresy), also featuring
Static-X bassist Tony Campos on erm, bass and vocals. Now there's no need to frantically navigate away fom this page in horror because I mentioned those once nu-metal also-rans, because
Asesino are very much in the death/grind spectrum. The lyrics are sung in Spanish, adding a slighly comedic element to proceedings which may or may not have been intentional, although song titles such as 'Padre Pedofilo' would certainly suggest the former.
Cristo Satanico is a relatively straightforward affair, and the emphasis on grooving, headbangable riffs works to its favour. Cazares has always been adept at creating memorable riffs above pointless fretboard masturbation, and this is no different. Well-timed breakdowns form the backbone of many of the 17 songs on offer, which make
Cristo... a catchy and rather more listenable proposition than, say the 15 second grindcore brigade (not that there's anything wrong with that, mind). 'Puta Con Pito' contains an almost Dimebag Darrell-esque riff, whilst 'Adelitos' emits a groove that
Deicide would be proud of. 'Regresende' is a blistering opener, and indeed one of the album's best tracks, with a surprising shoutalong finale; even if most of us won't have a clue what the band are saying, not that that's ever been a problem in the oft-inpenetrable world of the grind band.
Cazares is certainly proving himself as both a prolific and rather more versatile guitarist than he was possibly given credit for back in
Fear Factory's heyday.
Asesino may act as another vehicle for the rotund one, but because it's so well executed, and the material so damned catchy in places, like
Fear Factory it's simply impossible not to like, even if it doesn't have the inimitable bludgeon of the likes of, say
Discordance Axis.
Cristo Satanico's only real problem is an overly clinical production in places, which sometimes render the guitars a little thin, and the vocals (whilst pretty good for the most part) are slighly too upfront in the mix. Still, it's a damn sight better than post-Cazares
Fear Factory's godawful
Trangression, that's for sure.
Official Asesino MySpace
Official Listenable Website
