Criminal is a Chilean thrash metal/death metal band formed in late 1991 in Santiago by Anton Reisenegger (guitar and vocals) and Rodrigo Contreras (lead guitar). Later they were joined by J.J. Vallejo on drums and Juan Francisco Cueto as bassist, completing the original lineup. The band incorporates elements of thrash metal, death metal, groove metal and hardcore. They later moved to Colchester, England.
The band received international attention with their second studio album, Dead Soul, released in 1997. Their next release, Sicario, established them as a known band in Europe and received good reviews.
Criminal have released eight studio albums, two live albums, and two demos.
Contents
History
In late 1991, Reisenegger Anton joined Rodrigo Contreras to start a new thrash metal band: Criminal. Anton was already known in the local underground scene, and had received recognition by bands like Napalm Death and Dismember. The latter band had played with Rodrigo Contreras before.
Their debut show was in April 1992, opening for Kreator. That same year they released two demos that got wide distribution in the local scene. Their second demo, Forked received good reviews by international heavy metal magazines like Metal Hammer in Holanda.
In 1994, they recorded their first album, Victimized, independently and sold 1000 copies in three weeks of its release. The album got the attention of the major BMG label. The album was distributed in countries like Mexico, Argentina and Japan. The videos of Self Destruction and Disorder were frequently broadcast on MTV Latin America on the Head Bangers show, rapidly gaining reputation internationally. After that they made their first appearance outside their country, in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo. In 1995, they played at the Festival of Latin American Metal in Guadalajara, Mexico. After this show J.J. Vallejo was replaced by Jimmy Ponce, drummer of Slavery.
In 1996, the group opened shows for Bruce Dickinson and Motörhead, also releasing the EP Live Disorder.
In 1997, they released Dead Soul, which is held in high regard by fans and critics alike. The album was released in the United States and Europe. They collaborated with Exodus and Napalm Death for the release-show of the album.
In late 1998, they released the compilation album Live Slave Master which has both studio and live performances, and the demo songs from Forked.
In early 2000, Reisenegger and Contreras began producing the third album, Cancer. The album was heavily criticized by fans as they had a shift in their music style, the album being labeled as a commercial record and far from the aggressive style of their early albums. However, the album was well received in Europe.
Discography
Demos
Demo (1992)
Forked Demo (1992)
Albums
Victimized (1994)
Dead Soul (1997)
Cancer (2000)
No Gods No Masters (2004)
Sicario (2005)
White Hell (2009)
Akelarre (2011)
Fear Itself (2016)
Sacrificio (2021)
EPs
Live Disorder (1996)
Live albums
Slave Master Live (1998)
Band members
Current members
Anton Reisenegger – vocals, guitar
Sergio Klein – lead guitar
Danilo Estrella – drums
Dan Biggin – bass
Former members
Rodrigo Contreras – guitar
Juan Francisco "Cato" Cueto – bass
J.J Vallejo – drums
Jimmy Ponce – drums
Robin Eaglestone – bass
Staff Glover – bass
Aldo Celle – bass
Olmo Cascallar – guitar
Zac O'Neil – drums