SAINT DIABLO – The Reckoning EP
SAINT DIABLO – The Reckoning EP
Eclipse Records
Release Date: 19/07/2024
Running Time: 13:23
Review by David Barreto
DISSAPOINTED/10
Here I come with a new review in this case for the Latin Metal band SAINT DIABLO. Why did I choose this one? Clearly because of the Latin part since I have some Latin blood running through my veins and I have a soft spot for Dino Cazares and, somehow, I knew there was going to be some of that in here… and gladly I was right!
SAINT DIABLO are located in Virginia, USA, and their metal is… very metal. Nu Metal? Yes. Industrial? Yes. Groove? Yes. Reggeaton? Ehr… also yes. A bit of everything I guess!
This is their fifth release and while it is a very short EP called “The Reckoning” with only three new tracks plus one live rendition of their 2022 track ‘Odio’, it was produced by Chris Anger (Ill Nino, Wyclef Jean, Luny Tunes…) so you can imagine how insane this sounds.
WOW! Just WOW! That’s the first thing that came to my mind the very moment I pressed START and the LOUD music kicked me in my b… ears. WOW! Second thing is ‘this is professionally made, there is top quality production here, it sounds so clear and so punchy…’
This new EP starts with the track ‘Cosmic Inferno’ and it is definitely all you can expect. Lots of groove, lots of aggression, lots of growls, screams but also melodic clean vocals, brutal guitars and also synthesizers. Followed by ‘Voice on the Phone’, talking about missing the lost loved ones, the chorus is more melodic, more catchy, closer to the best and better known Nu Metal bands from the 90s and early 00s. If you are guessing where the Latin in the style comes from, this song will clear it out for you: percussion, nylon stringed guitar, lots of lines in Spanish…
If I have to describe ‘Dame Todo’ (Give me everything) to someone who knows nothing about SAINT DIABLO I would say something like “take Sepultura, Linkin Park, Brujería, Killswitch Engage and Don Omar, put them in a blender and voilà” and while musically talking this sounds GREAT here I have to say that I am very, very, very disappointed.
I understand the lyrics, all of them, and I don’t like what I hear. Toxic relationship? Abusive partner? Are they even partners or just a sexual predator following its next victim? (Yes, I say “its” instead of “his” because I don’t treat those as persons).
I don’t like this. I know this kind of lyrics are common in reggaeton, hip hop… the mafia style “thug life” kinda thing, but this is not acceptable for me and I will not say otherwise.
Musically this is great, all tracks are beautifully played and mastered, and everything sounds fine and in its place, but I will not even rate this EP because of that song.
If the band contacts me and explain themselves about the lyrics and why I have misunderstood them (if that is the case) then amendments will be made but for the moment, this is a very big NO from my part.
The last track, ‘Odio’ (Hate) is a live rendition and you can listen to how punchy they sound live and the crowd asking for more, very energetic I must admit.
I am very surprised by the quality of the production, the composition and arrangements of the tracks and I have to say that the musicianship is also stellar. Every note, every drum beat, every scream are in the right place, but I cannot overpass the lyrics of ‘Dame Todo’, and that makes me very sad. I really wanted to love this record, but I cannot.
The Good: Very good sound, punchy, well packed and very groovy.
The Bad and The Ugly: Lyrics for ‘Dame Todo’ are unacceptable on many levels unless I am not understanding correctly (but I am sure I am understanding it the way it was meant)This is bad. Incorrect. Unacceptable. I really thought we had already left behind those times and nowadays in the metal scene we are not accepting this kind of talking and/or behavior; so please, don’t sing about this kind of shit like it is cool or a good thing.
Hasta la vista, Ever-Metallers!
‘Voice on the Phone’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Cosmic Inferno
02. Voice on the Phone
03. Dame Todo
04. Odio
LINE UP:
Tito Quinones (vocals)
Justin Adams (guitar)
Anthony San Pietro (drums)
Zach San Pietro (bass)
Awesome Ray Ray (percussion/auxillary drums)
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of David Barreto and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
