Elyna Kahn
Chilean band Zero Tolerance released its powerful EP Irresoluto a while ago. With this work, a heart-wrenching cry of denunciation and longing for justice emerges from the southern lands of the world. Irresoluto is a song of dignity and rage, materializing in fiery riffs, powerful drum-and-bass beats, and beastly vocals that seem to come straight from hell itself. Following its debut album Abismal in 2014, Zero Tolerance has reached audiences as diverse as Peru, Mexico, and even Asia, where it achieved several reissues of Abismal. This fact catches attention and augurs well for the EP’s success in those distant lands, because Zero Tolerance’s narrative, beyond Chile’s borders, echoes a scenario that has been repeating itself since time immemorial.
The four tracks on Irresoluto address the issues faced by the average citizen in Chile every day: injustice and inequality, the anger this causes against an oppressive and relentless system, and the impunity that took hold after the return to democracy, where justice for the rich and justice for the poor seem to have become institutionalized. Those who commit crimes against humanity, those who embezzle from state coffers, and corrupt politicians who accept bribes to pass laws benefiting specific economic groups do not receive exemplary punishment, leaving the virus of corruption free to threaten the democracy that was so hard to recover. Irresoluto comes to denounce this before the world and appeal to the conscience of millions who suffer under the yoke of injustice—a cry that will be heard and resonate strongly in distant lands.
Musically, Irresoluto is full of surprises. The sound captivates with its quality, comparable to great bands of the genre in Europe, such as Killswitch Engage and Lamb of God—some of Zero Tolerance’s clearest influences. The mix is balanced, with no noticeable overlaps or distortions in either melodic or vocal lines, allowing the listener to absorb the message of protest and struggle against a backdrop of strong death-groove riffs that demand attention during the brief 13-minute runtime.
The brutal instrumentation, along with the demonic riffs in tracks such as Patria Bastarda and Prontuario, evokes memories of 90s death/thrash metal, recalling Chilean band Torturer and its album Aracnophobia from over 25 years ago. There are also shades of Criminal, Dorso, Brujería, Entombed, Pantera, and even a few nods to Behemoth’s blackened aggression. The result is a melodic and instrumental storm—eclectic, nostalgic, and undeniably heavy—one of Irresoluto’s strongest qualities.
The rhythmic base stands out for its intensity and diversity, even incorporating progressive elements that enrich the overall experience. Meanwhile, the vocal performance is truly remarkable. Beyond moments where the meaning of certain vocalizations is unclear—spectacular as they are—the aggression, rage, and sense of struggle come across vividly through Marcelo Sepúlveda’s performance. You can almost picture yourself in the mosh pit as chaos unfolds in his voice, an ode to the violence necessary to confront inequality in a collapsing world.
With Irresoluto, Zero Tolerance makes it clear that they are one of the most vital voices in the contemporary Chilean Metal scene. In just 13 minutes, the band condenses eons of social frustration, memory, and resistance into a brutal explosion that hits the ear and shakes the mind. Irresoluto does not aim to please—it aims to awaken. It is a true 13-minute musical manifesto that calls us to combat indifference, the worst of all viruses, and reminds us that rage, when channeled into art and passion, becomes a worthy form of struggle.
Label: WP & Daniel Records
Release date: September 28, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BWJgnxUHL/
Country: Chile
Score: 3.5/5.0
Metal Eclipse Reviews 