Ill Niño

Contradictions that confound expectations of Ill Niño pop up throughout the band's debut disc. The gruesome cover and politically charged song titles imply a harder-than-thou thrash-fest that never materializes, as the band is one of the most sonorous of their ilk. At the same time, the Spanish surnames and band moniker implies gimmickry, but Ill Niño ain't a Puya; the Spanish lyrics and Latin flavor enhances without becoming overwrought. At times, Revolution Revolucíon seems almost too sedate, and it does fall into some of the usual rap-metal trappings in spite of itself, but overall this is an excellent debut for fans who lean more to the cerebral side of modern metallic endeavors. [The 2002 reissue contains five bonus tracks and two multimedia video tracks.] ~ Brian O'Neill, All Music Guide