Dead Soul

Released in 1997, Dead Soul is the definitive sophomore statement from Chile's Criminal. Following their debut 'Victimized', this album saw the band refining their sound under the guidance of producer Vincent Wojnar, known for his work with European thrash titans. The result was a sonic upgrade that allowed the band to compete on a global stage, leading to distribution by Metal Blade Records in the US and Europe. The album is historically significant for its role in the Chilean metal explosion, selling over 10,000 copies domestically - a massive feat for an extreme metal act at the time. Musically, it incorporates elements of groove metal (reminiscent of Machine Head or Sepultura) into a foundational death-thrash framework. The inclusion of tracks like 'Hijos de la miseria' highlighted the band's cultural roots, while the guest appearance by Mitch Harris of Napalm Death during the release cycle cemented their credibility within the international underground.