Criminal Element - Crime And Punishment II

With two originals and three covers, Crime and Punishment II doesn’t have the bite of the previous masterpiece, Crime and Punishment Part 1.  But that doesn’t mean this EP won’t tear your face off.  In fact, due to the classy stunt cover of Iron Maiden’s “To Tame a Land” and the ripping take on Slayer, Crime and Punishment II shows Criminal Element aren’t just another ugly face.

Starting off, “Convict,” continues the chaos from the previous EP.  Swarming riffs, grinding grooves, dizzying drums (surprisingly programmed by Adam Jarvis as touring commitments with Misery Index prevented him from hitting the studio) and heaps of attitude make for a classic piece of Death Metal.  “The Bitch Set Me Up” increases the ante and hits harder than the previous track. The song’s mid-paced breakdown will ignite the ‘core kid’s circle slam pits while the soloing throws everything off.  And that is what makes Criminal Element different from their member’s other projects. They play against genre expectations.

A slightly faster cover of Slayer’s “Epidemic” fits in with the band’s original material as Criminal Element isn’t afraid to rip out some thrashtastic riffs.  Even though a cover, the song has enough juice to keep the EP’s momentum going.  Also slightly speed up is Celtic Frost’s “Into the Crypt of Rays.” Surprisingly vocalist Vince Matthew’s gurgling snarl actually fits the song perfectly. While not better than the original, it will throw off Obituary’s cornering of covering the Frost.

While the previous cover choices made sense, “To Tame a Land” almost seems too ambitious.  One of Iron Maiden’s more complex tracks, the fact that Criminal Element stays true to the original is nothing short of jaw-dropping.  Matthew’s vocal style is out of place and some of the drum patterns are jazzed up but the guitars and bass are spot on.  Previous Criminal Element originals have brief nods to Maiden, but now the band nails it.  As in handles this classic track with kid gloves, only allowing a few gratuitous blasts in the end of the song to let you know it’s still Criminal Element.  And as far as Iron Maiden covers go, it’s the best one done by a Death Metal band thus far.  Who would have thought members of Dying Fetus, Suffocation and Misery Index could churn handle an Iron Maiden track?

If Crime and Punishment II had more originals, it would have fared better. But “To Tame A Land” almost has to be heard so it has three excellent songs.  While Crime and Punishment Part 1 is essential, Crime and Punishment II isn’t.  If you had to pick one, get the previous installment.  But if anything should come of these two EPs, it proves Criminal Element isn’t just some Death Metal super group churning out brutality by rote.  They have a niche.  Let’s hope the band keeps up the energy, the class and unloads another full-length ASAP.

Release Date: December 9th, 2010
Label: Sevared Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Convict
2.  The Bitch Set Me Up
3.  Epidemic
4.  Into the Crypts of Rays
5.  To Tame a Land

Total playing time:  19:21

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Reviewer: Rottenbucher

February 9, 2011