Actively climbing out from the South American scene into Florida waters, No Raza formed in 1997 and over the course of their four previous studio records established a reliable death metal template. Slowly evolving from a Spanish language act into semi-English waters through 2014’s When Chaos Reigns effort, the band would sign with Noble Demon who released their fourth album Transcending Material Sins just as the world shut down in March 2020. Tyrona is the next evolution of the group, containing their most English-oriented material to date, yet still firmly entrenched in classic death metal chock full of heavy riffs, vicious growls, and a sense of melodic groove that may surprise people.
After a short, tribal chant-oriented intro, the expected assault of “Looters” levels the listener through its steady chugging riff supply beyond the stop/start tremolo runs and frantic double kick/snare pace – guitarist Juan Guillermo Cano bellowing the one-line title in classic lower than earth fashion. Elsewhere the quartet expand horizons into a bit more adventurous terrain – “Savage Strength” delivering elements of mid-tempo epic atmosphere in its steady drum foundation next to chord combinations that possess a bit more melancholic melody, especially during the chorus. When these gentlemen feel the need to go full force in aggression, “Overflowed” fits that Kataklysm/ Krisiun-like texture, a whirlwind of main hooks although the lead break from Juan Camilo Sanchez rivals the James Murphy/ Alex Skolnick playbook. Versatility keeps the record from lagging into sameness that can happen in certain faster or brutal-oriented death outings.
There’s a certain folk-like, cultural nature to specific heavy to clean guitar lines on “Outbreak” that helps distinguish the song from others, allowing the normal growls and intensity to stand out further in a tightly driven, five-minute arrangement. Two songs are still Spanish sung – of which the thrash-like “Involución” really works well, the straightforward guitar parts and equally roaring vocals tailor made for circular pit, head bobbing action (beyond the slower transition midway through that cannot be ignored). Paying tribute to the almighty Bathory on “Ring of Gold”, the choice of doing a song from a later record in 2002’s Nordland I works adequately for the band’s Viking-like tendencies, proving they are not one dimensional in convincing listeners they possess talent across many genres of metal.
Tyrona has qualities that appeal to those into vicious, Immolation meets the aforementioned hyperblast artists – yet No Raza also has that extra melodic / mid-tempo groove gear that incorporates solid metal principles to keep them away from being a one-trick pony in death metal. A record that could make many followers dig deeper into their discography – and hopefully gain a bit more of a global foothold in the scene.