Resurrection

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!

(originally written for ArchaicMetallurgy.com in 2006)

I grew up listening to Thrash Metal, but I didn't know about Cardinal Sin back in the day. I remember reading about them in Metal Maniacs, and then I became friends with Carlos Lopez in '96 on the Internet, younger brother of Jorge Lopez of Cardinal Sin. We were talking on the phone one night, and he was impressed with my knowledge of Metal. He asked me if I ever heard of Cardinal Sin. I said maybe. I remember reading about a Cardinal Sin in Metal Maniacs. Is that the same band? He said YES!

I became a Cardinal Sin fan three years ago when Carlos sent me an original 4 song demo tape called Querer es Poder and two stickers(I still have one on my work table bench in the garage where I listen to a lot of my music at.). I was blown away. It had everything I loved about Thrash – lots of double bass, lightning fast riffs, killer guitar solos, and lots of energy! It brought back pleasant memories of the Bay Area scene, when I was collecting the albums, buying the shirts, writing the bands, and going to the shows!!!! I kept asking Carlos: "Do you think they will ever release a cd of all their demos so people who love this music who weren’t familiar with them back in the day can hear them? He said you never know.

So three years later here’s Resurrection on cd for the world to enjoy, and it’s awesome! I love listening to it because it still sounds fresh even though the songs are old. The sound quality isn’t the best on the Infanticide demo and live tracks, but it still rules! The avid Thrasher will appreciate it. It still sounds better than the tape I wore out. I still play my tape in the truck. There are some killer songs on it like Request To Rest, Infanticide, R.E.S.H. and Scripts Of A Dead Man. I like how even though they were great musicians and serious about playing true Thrash Metal they had a sense of humor also like Metallica, Anthrax, S.O.D. and Nuclear Assault with songs like Death Of Pee Wee and the Night Ranger cover.

They’re great guys too. We've become friends over the last four months. I’m great friend’s with Kenny Grau. We trade music. He’s cool. If you write them, they will write back!!! Jorge sent me a free copy of Resurrection, Kenny sent me a copy of Secret Vault Exposed Vol 1, a Cardinal Sin T-shirt and poster that’s hanging up in my garage, and 3 out of 4 members signed my demo tape cover! I’m still trying to get in touch with Diego! Maybe he will read this review and get in touch with me.

It would be cool if they could get back together like Death Angel, Exodus, Heathen and Vio-lence did and put out a new album. Or do a reunion show in San Juan and film it for a DVD / Live CD combo release for the fans. We'll just have to wait and see.

I highly recommend Resurrection for the Thrash Metal Purist in your household and or abroad. The thick booklet even rules. Carlos is in it shooting the bird. Resurrection blows away any of the Nu Metal garbage that’s out there today!

Horns Up,

Ed Saad

Birmingham, AL.