Review by Fran on December 20, 2020.

Acero was the first heavy metal band that emerged from Costa Rica back in the mid 80's; it's amazing that they are still around, alive and well. Traditional heavy metal has reached the old age but it looks like our grandfathers still have something to say before it’s too late. Just as Iron Maiden's main concept for "The Final Frontier", talking about a stranded astronaut that analyzes his life in retrospective moments before dying, Antes Que Sea Tarde invites whoever is reading its title to remember life’s fugacity and make the most out of each day. The band’s proposal hasn’t changed over the years, En Pie de Guerra was a little bit more speed/power metalish but besides the fastest track -'Medusa'- this album is like Pasado and Presente Part II: classic heavy metal with simple songwriting, nice solos and catchy choruses.

As you can expect, there isn't anything particularly innovative in terms of pushing the genre's boundaries further composition-wise in this album but it does take you back to the 80's like one of those retro radio stations. There's something about that nostalgia that is inherent to heavy metal itself and kind of fits the band sound, which is very hard-rock, palm muted, mid-paced and riff driven. '¿De qué sirve rezar?' (What’s the point of praying?) is the album's ballad. It features quite clean guitar arpeggios and an attempt to lyrical singing that might not have been sufficient but was still very brave. Diego Acuña's debut on the vocal department was successful though, I don’t feel much difference regarding their last vocalist. I like how their ballads resemble Iron Maiden's most progressive era and my favorite album of all time, "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son". In general the album has a somber tone, unlike the partying and rebellious numbers from their first release.

Maturity is the least you can expect from a band with such a lengthy career and at least that’s reflected on the lyrics and songwriting. The drumming is pretty simple and straightforward rock'and'roll, the double bass drum is used but never at high speed. Fills are super simple and scarce but the tempo is steadily kept... not a stroke more, not a stroke less, the heavy metal version of Ringo Starr's work. Four string tracks recorded by Francisco Pujol the band's longtime bassist, and while they aren't technical at all he manages to pull out witty arrangements to simplify the guitar riffs or anchoring them with the drums. The classy guitar solos were delivered by maestro Jorge Molina and the rhythm guitars were recorded by Christian Chacón, his first recording with Acero.

Rating: 7.3 out of 10

Review by Fran on December 20, 2020.

Acero was the first heavy metal band that emerged from Costa Rica back in the mid 80's; it's amazing that they are still around, alive and well. Traditional heavy metal has reached the old age but it looks like our grandfathers still have something to say before it’s too late. Just as Iron Maiden's main concept for "The Final Frontier", talking about a stranded astronaut that analyzes his life in retrospective moments before dying, Antes Que Sea Tarde invites whoever is reading its title to remember life’s fugacity and make the most out of each day. The band’s proposal hasn’t changed over the years, En Pie de Guerra was a little bit more speed/power metalish but besides the fastest track -'Medusa'- this album is like Pasado and Presente Part II: classic heavy metal with simple songwriting, nice solos and catchy choruses.

As you can expect, there isn't anything particularly innovative in terms of pushing the genre's boundaries further composition-wise in this album but it does take you back to the 80's like one of those retro radio stations. There's something about that nostalgia that is inherent to heavy metal itself and kind of fits the band sound, which is very hard-rock, palm muted, mid-paced and riff driven. '¿De qué sirve rezar?' (What’s the point of praying?) is the album's ballad. It features quite clean guitar arpeggios and an attempt to lyrical singing that might not have been sufficient but was still very brave. Diego Acuña's debut on the vocal department was successful though, I don’t feel much difference regarding their last vocalist. I like how their ballads resemble Iron Maiden's most progressive era and my favorite album of all time, "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son". In general the album has a somber tone, unlike the partying and rebellious numbers from their first release.

Maturity is the least you can expect from a band with such a lengthy career and at least that’s reflected on the lyrics and songwriting. The drumming is pretty simple and straightforward rock'and'roll, the double bass drum is used but never at high speed. Fills are super simple and scarce but the tempo is steadily kept... not a stroke more, not a stroke less, the heavy metal version of Ringo Starr's work. Four string tracks recorded by Francisco Pujol the band's longtime bassist, and while they aren't technical at all he manages to pull out witty arrangements to simplify the guitar riffs or anchoring them with the drums. The classy guitar solos were delivered by maestro Jorge Molina and the rhythm guitars were recorded by Christian Chacón, his first recording with Acero.

Rating: 7.3 out of 10

Review by JD on January 25, 2009.

Australian ultra-extreme metallists Limb From Limb (not to be mistaken for the Canadian metal band of the same name) are one of those bands that make you sit up and take note whether you want to or not. These guys are the hands down winners of sounding the most pissed off of any band in the world.

They hit you squarely in the face with a overwhelming wall of guitars and drums much like what the bands like BrainDrill and Mortification (fellow Aussie metallists) do. Limb From Limb have the speed and heaviness to rival BrainDrill in some aspects, but also they have this wall of pure aggression throughout.... much like Mortification does. Despite the obvious comparisons you could make, it really does not detract from what they are doing in any way. They are a chaotic entity unto themselves.

The lyrics are smart as any out there, showing that this Australian extreme metal juggernauts are severely disillusioned with the world as any cynic out there could be. The seem to have a bitter taste in their mouth everything in general, and use their Black Metal styled leanings to make that so damned clear while blowing your face off with some of the most intense, speed laden music ever to come.

Purely not for the squeamish among our masses on planet Earth, Limb From Limb are a rising force from the land down under. My we fall down at their feet, and worship them as they take that throne for their very own... or they very much might rip you 'limb from limb'.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 6.5
Production: 7.5
Originality:7.5
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.5 out of 10