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De la Tierra: De la Tierra

28/01/14 || Cobal

While many would rather have me spare the whole yada-yada thing about the background of this Latin American super group, I believe it is important to understand where bands stand in order to better judge their work. That goes both for their music and credibility.

With that regard, let’s begin with DLT’s strengths. Simply put, Andreas Kisser needs no introduction. He’s one badass motherfucker. He’s been with Sepultura forever, and even if you’re not exactly a fan of the most successful band from South America—I’m certainly not—, you certainly know who they are. Even more, Kisser’s ultimately defined the Sepultura sound far beyond the Cavaleras’ doing if you ask me. As for the rest, Andrés Giménez (guitar) used to be the leader of the extinct Argentinian band A.N.I.M.A.L. Their sound would range from standard thrash metal sound to even fuse some rap and nu metal in their music. Although I had been aware of their existence for a long time, I never listened to much of what they did, other than a couple stray songs.

Now, is including two well-known folky pop musicians in your super group a weakness? Objective me says no. Not necessarily. A propos, I use the term folky pop for I don’t know exactly what to call this. Or this. All I know is that it’s not for me. Regardless, Alex González (drums) and Flavio Cianciarulo (bass) are certainly two professional musicians who have worked with their main acts for over two decades each. In fact, the long careers of all the members might be one of the biggest DLT’s assets, except proficient as they may be, I don’t know why anyone would think of these two guys for recording a metal album. Of course the metalness of this project is apparently arguable. Once more, I have my own personal disagreement with those refined people running The Metal Archives.

At the end of the day, what we have here is a mash up of influences ranging from some of the deepest metal roots to Latin American world music gone preppy and even that fashionable groovy hardcore metalheads love so much… The result?

On the one hand, I could say the music shares a great deal of common ground with late Sepultura, so if by any reason you belong to the legion of haters, stay away by all means. DLT deliver solid groovy riffs, tribal rhythms and shouted vocals. Not that it’s officially established, but tribal metal has been ringing many bells in my head lately. Now if it’s true that the songs are solidly written, it is undeniable that’s ‘cause they take very few chances to risk much. Be it is impossible not to nod to the riffs, but at least half of the songs are ultimately too repetitive and almost boring at some point. On top of that, Giménez’ plain vocals calling the shots all over the record are not adding for variety.

OK, so the above is true for roughly 5/10 songs in DLT’s debut (track one is a mere intro). How about the rest? I can gladly report some interesting highlights here. For example, so called Sr Flavio is bringing some funky slap bass technique to the table every now and then, up to the point of resembling Primus Les Claypol’s mastery of such instrument in “Reducidores de Cabezas” (Head Shrinkers in English). Alexandro González delivers some intricate drumming during all record, clearly demonstrating that not only is he capable of playing radio friendly music, but also a very authentic tribal percussion sound. Furthermore, last track “Cosmonauta Quechua” is an archetypical 80s thrash song, and González’ work has a lot to do with it. Lastly, first single and track 6 “Maldita Historia” decently incorporates a metalcore vibe, clean chorus and breakdowns included. Not all metalcore is despicable, you see. In sum, “De la Tierra” could be much more of a big statement debut if all songs were at the same level.

Credibility and orthodox metal considerations aside, there’s probably a new big player in the modern, more open metal scene now. Will DLT manage to become the Rammstein of Spanish language and bring their music to the whole world as they pretend? Only time will tell.

Cheers.

Information
Released: 2014
Label: Roadrunner Records
Website: www.delatierramusic.com
Band
Andrés Giménez: vocals, guitars
Andreas Kisser: guitars, backing vocals
Sr Flavio: bass, backing vocals
Alex González: drums, backing vocals

Tracklist
01. DLT – Intro
02. Somos uno
03. Rostros
04. San Asesino
05. Detonar
06. Maldita Historia
07. Fuera
08. Chamám de Manaus
09. Reducidores de Cabezas
10. Corran
11. Cosmonauta Quechua

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