ILL NINO – Dead New World [Review]

ILL NINO
Dead New World
[Victory Records]
Score: 8
Stream: “Against The Wall”

While this is their debut for Victory Records, Ill Nino aren’t new to the scene. Formed in New Jersey back in ’98, the band has released a handful of records over the years (Confession being my personal favorite). Ill Nino haven’t really changed their sound much, but they always had a pretty unique vibe to begin with. With Dead New World, the lyrics deal a lot with war and religion (not surprisingly considering the condition of the world), hence the album title. Opening with “God Is Only For The Dead”, it becomes quickly evident that the band was looking to go for fast and furious; I don’t think they were looking to go “bigger” or “branch out” or anything like that. They took their formula and pretty much just had fun with what it already is. Hey, if it ain’t broke? The first track does a good job in kicking up the energy, not only because it immediately plays hard, but because it is coupled with quite a catchy chorus. The following track, “The Art Of War”, plays out in a similar fashion (with the catchy chorus and energetic presence). As a whole, Dead New World will feel like this for the most part. It may be pretty straight forward, but it’s memorable and fun, which is what matters. “Against The Wall” is the personal favorite here. It kind of builds during its verses, while the song itself sounds like it might have been a b-side of their Confession album. For the next few songs, Ill Nino then begin to focus more on the heavier stuff, bringing in more breakdowns and screaming parts. “Ritual” is the first track to really show the unique styles Ill Nino used to play with more in the past, which is the use of Latin instruments to show off their heritage. “Killing You Killing Me” also does this, and is one of the more intense, brutal songs on the record. The slowest Ill Nino gets on this disc is the cover of “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”, which successfully adds a change of pace closer to the end of the album. As a complete work, Dead New World is not breaking any barriers the band hasn’t before, but it is certainly an enjoyable and entertaining record to blast out your speakers. (NL)