One Nation Underground [PA] - Ill Nino

One Nation Underground is the third release from Ill Nino. This is yet another step forwards in the Ill Nino sound. The guitars are more complex the drums and percussion are back to full volume after being dissapointingly quiet in "Confession". The album is generally a heavy one with a very high tempo but never delves into the world of thrash. A couple of bad eggs have spoilt what would be one of the best if not the best album of this decade ...
...I can but this is one fantastic album.

Track 1: This Is War
A fantasic opening to the album, starting with tribal chantes and drums with a thick, distorted guitar hammering over the top which breaks into a breakneck little riff and moving into a fairly standard metal verse. The pre chorus is a nice warm up however the chorus isn't the greatest and is too (poorly) shouty. The solo is a wonderful bit of work, almost a flamenco ... more

One Nation Underground is the third release from Ill Nino. This is yet another step forwards in the Ill Nino sound. The guitars are more complex the drums and percussion are back to full volume after being dissapointingly quiet in "Confession". The album is generally a heavy one with a very high tempo but never delves into the world of thrash. A couple of bad eggs have spoilt what would be one of the best if not the best album of this decade however don't let that put you off as the ratio of good to bad is very high indeed. I've reviewed a few of the songs to give a general idea of the album. I've been as harsh and picky as I can but this is one fantastic album.

Track 1: This Is War
A fantasic opening to the album, starting with tribal chantes and drums with a thick, distorted guitar hammering over the top which breaks into a breakneck little riff and moving into a fairly standard metal verse. The pre chorus is a nice warm up however the chorus isn't the greatest and is too (poorly) shouty. The solo is a wonderful bit of work, almost a flamenco solo but played on an electric guitar, very nice. Overall this song opens well and has strong spots but the chorus really does let it down.

Track 3: What You Deserve
The lead single (I believe) from the album and certainly a good choice. Another fast paced song with a very catchy start riff that runs into a very agreeable verse. The chorus this time is spot on and so very sing able, and when the bridge comes round the transfer is superb. Speaking of the bridge, a nice bit of Ill Nino's percussion skills shine through from the background adding more layers to the song. All in all, a very good song.

Track 5: Da La Vida
A nicely tribal intro that unfortunately is then attacked by a rather annoying riff that thankfully goes away for the verse. Again unfortunately the riff appears with an alright pre chorus followed by quite possibly the most annoying chrous ever written. Good verses, otherwise a bad egg.

Track 6: La Liberacion Of Our Awakening
Now we're back on track, the opening, a march like drum intro with radio like sound effects that breaks into a nice and heavy verse which just beautifully crosses into a stunner of a chorus. The word for this song is seamless, everything just flows perfectly into everything else. A great song with a simple but spot on solo and just general spot on-ness.

Track 7: All I Ask For
Ooo... My favourite track I'd have to say. This is probably the most radio friendly song on the album however that is no problem with this song. Again the flow is amazing and drums stunning. The lyrics are the usual but fit here very well as occasionally can happen where a song only needs basic lyrics. Another plus point is the return of Ill Nino's much loved crash symbal which has been used less than usual so far in the album.

Track 11: My Pleasant Torture
A classical guitar coupled with tribal percussion lead this song at the start, this is soon joined by a good and heavy guitar thumping away but only adding to the gentle-ness of the intro. The verse is a nice gentle one and a good breather from the high tempo work that's been playing so far. The pre chorus is epic and the chorus only slightly less impressive. This then breaks into one of the most passionate solos to have been put to CD in recent years. If this really is torture then I can certainly see why it's pleasant

Track 13: Violent Saint
Usually Ill Nino get a bit iffy by the end of an album with songs that have pure genius coupled with horrendous cliche, bad judgement, you name it, but this offering is thankfully bucking the trend. The song is heavy from the off with a guiatr wailing in a siren like fashion which soon breaks into a machine gun fire verse of yet more heaviness. And then possibly the most peculiar chorus ever, amazingly heavy yet still so melodic and radio friendly that even pop lovers can at least toloerate it (no small feat!). The bridge is again heavy with siren like guitars firing off with yet more amazing percuission and then back the the stunning chorus to finish off the album in good style.

Track Listing:
1: This Is War
2: My Resurrection
3: What You Deserve
4: Turns To Gray
5: Da La Vida
6: La Liberacion Of Our Awakening
7: All I Ask For
8: Corazon Of Mine
9: Everything Beautiful
10: In This Moment
11: My Pleasant Torture
12: Barely Breathing
13: Violent Saint 

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