(Death Metal / Folk / Doom Metal) Kranium - Testimonios - 1999, MP3, V1

When I got this CD, there was a flyer with it on which was possible to read that the style of Kranium was "doom folk heavy metal". I was curious and when I put the disc in my CD-player, the surprise: probably this label is, indeed, the best definition for Kranium's well-crafted music.
With this album, Kranium was able to blend influences of heavy metal from the 70's (Black Sabbath with Ozzy) with doom metal from the 80's (My Dying Bride) and even add elements of Peruvian folk music. The result is impressing. We have here some vigorous metal, that is heavy and extremely well played (every musician in the line up is an expert in his instrument). And it's very original.
The vocals have a big variety, from growls to melodic clean-tones. And the clean vocals have different styles (aggressive, soft, hypnotic, etc.). Maybe for the ones who are only used to listening to bands that sing in Germanic languages, Daniel Roncagliolo's Spanish vocals might sound strange at the first time one listens to them. But that's something that happens only at the beginning, because later the listener even feels like singing along with him (yes, there are some sing-along-like songs here). There is another interesting facts about the lyrics: some songs are sung in Inka language (but we have translations to Spanish in the booklet). The guitar sound is perfect for the kind of music Kranium plays, as it is solid and heavy, but still clear enough to allow the listener to feel all the details of the riffs and solos (the guitar solos are magnificent, by the way - very melodic and technical). The quality of the recording is perfect, it's important to mention. The bass and the drums are heavy, solid and creative too. The keyboards are discreet, pleasant and very well-placed in the songs and their melodies and tones have a clear influence from the 70's. But what really calls the attention in this album are the typical instruments from Peru. I mean the flutes and all the others with unique Spanish names (that I don't even know how they are). These exotic instruments add a great atmosphere to the songs and are very well placed too.
Songs like "No Te Tortures", "El Obraje", "Guerreros" and the epic piece "Dos Sonrisas, Una Lágrima" are 100% flawless, pure genius. "Markawasi" is another highlight of the album, a magical instrumental track, pretty much progressive rock influenced. If you have the opportunity of buying this, do it. Kranium is one of the best South American acts ever.