Slamming absolutely everything on the table, the latest EP release by SAINT DIABLO, “The Reckoning” leaves nothing to the imagination when it comes to the heavy metal. Perfectly described by their record label Eclipse Records as “savage Latin metal”, the five-piece band have really lived up to their reputation as this new release carves tectonic sized soundwaves that can smash down walls.  

From the offset of this EP, it is apparent that the band are not mucking around when it comes to the mix. A seriously heavy riff leads the listener to believe that "Cosmic Inferno” will be a slam track (which in many ways, it is), and what an introduction we have here. Everyone will be lifted off their feet when the riff kicks in. As the song progresses however, there is a Nu-metal influence with the single note riffing and the tone of the guitars, somewhat similar to SEPULTURA. This band really know how to keep a songs intensity going as each one of the songs on this EP has its own natural dynamic progression. “Voice on the Phone” is a very good song at demonstrating this. First, we are met with another very Nu-metal style riff which sets a heavy tone for the track, but then the song takes a turn with a wonderfully melodic chorus. It is after this first full chorus that you hear the bands Latin roots with the use of a syncopated percussion section as well as the use of the Spanish language followed by a short solo on a nylon string guitar.

The final studio track on the EP “Dame Todo” pulls the band in a slightly different direction at first. The opening riff really gives off vibes of FELLSILENT with a djent style that is slightly surprising, but soon it goes back into that very familiar Nu-metal sound. This is the first time on the EP that we hear the Spanish language as the main source of lyrics throughout the whole track. Slightly softer than the other two tracks, this song gives the listener a slight break before the final track. A live recording of 2022 single release “Odio” shows the listener just how heavy this band are live. The guitar tone alone is taken up to another level that wouldn’t be out of place in a death metal track. The familiar sound of a melodic chorus is repeated here, but shortly after, the listener is treated to one of the heaviest breakdowns they will hear for a long time.  

“The Reckoning” is an EP that shows just how far SAINT DIABLO have come and how much they have matured as musicians. Still keeping some of their old sound from the early 00’s, but enhancing their mixes and “beefing” them up a little bit, this band are surely going to cause a few walls of death at their upcoming shows.