Criminal are a band that all metal fans should be familiar with. Somehow the UK has managed to overlook them, even in recent years when they have secured 10/10 reviews in Terrorizer Magazine, supported the likes of Megadeth and Metallica in stadium shows abroad and most recently headlined the Sophie Stage at Bloodstock Open Air 2010.

Criminal formed many years ago from the ashes of the legendary Chilean Black Thrash band, Pentagram (now offically called Pentagram Chile). This is high pedigree indeed, the earlier band being a major influence on some of today’s most influential and best known names in the realms of Extreme Metal.  Pentagram Chile’s / Criminal’s main man Anton Reisenegger was the obvious choice to replace the late Jesse Pintado, allowing Lock Up to continue as a fully functioning band.

Several albums in, Criminal are masters of South American Thrash and at the top of their game. It is not too late to learn…