To call _Works of Carnage_ a raging beast of an album would belittle its impact. Produced by Pierre Remillard (Cryptopsy, Gorguts, Anvil, etc.), the record instantly sounds simultaneously brutal and fresh. Like a wounded mythological behemoth determined to protect its turf, opening tracks "Thorns of Heaven" and "Murderer" seethe with an intensity that few manage to surpass, and introduce melodic textures and a level of rhythmic dynamics that one would never have expected to hear on a Krisiun record. Which is not to say that the band have departed from their trademark hyperspeed assault, however -– there are indeed precious few moments of comparative sloth to be found on the album. This time round though, Max Kolesne has diversified and expanded his drumming approach, which immeasurably improves upon the traditional Krisiun blueprint. By the same token, Alex Camargo's voice is superbly blistering as he rages through highlights like "Sentinel of the Fallen Earth" and "Ethereal World".

While the album's closing cover of Venom's "In League With Satan" is perhaps somewhat ill-advised in that it sounds rather like a parody that unwittingly derides the album's claustrophobic ferocity to a certain extent, _Works of Carnage_ is undoubtedly a worthy contender in a year that has already witnessed some outstanding releases, as well as a fantastic return to form for the Brazilian kings of death metal. Long may they reign.