Though American audiences have essentially stamped out any glowing embers remaining from the late 90's nu-metal wildfire, it bears noting that the genre still remains a source of heat in other countries. Such is the case with Italian alt. metal prospects GF93, who with their latest opus, the volatile "OSR", show that with a little determination those nu-metal flames can still inflict 3rd degree burns.

Fans of '02's "Convulse All Star" will quickly come to find that GF93 are still as stylized and vicious as ever, delivering a vitriolic nu-metal hybrid that shares similarities with many but is overshadowed by none. Angular guitar riffs dominate, veering sharply this way and that around spine-tingling bass thumps and Carlo Bellotti's melodically patented metal serrations. "OSR" does suffer slightly from an unbalanced track layout, as some of the album's best cuts are paired together rather than being interspersed evenly with the lesser songs. It is hard to resist skipping ahead or back for favorites like "Deathwishineye" or "Own Style Research", but those that do should find overlooked gems like "Heartbeat" and "Crush-Art" (featuring some ultra-melodic backing vocals courtesy of Ilid's Natascia Pribac) as more than just unassuming filler. Converge's Kurt Ballou delivers a thick mix that emphasizes the group's strengths of savage riffs and frenzied vocals while drawing out GF93's melodic heart quite skillfully as well.

If GF93 have a weakness, it is in their almost overzealous desire to imbue each song with seemingly a hundred different facets. While this makes for a fiery record that never lets up, it does occasionally feel clustered and claustrophobic due to such busy songwriting. With all that said, GF93 continue to impress with their ingenuity, ability and dedication, making "OSR" not only a quality follow-up to "Convulse All Star" but further proof that these Italian alt. metal impresarios can ignite infernos all on their own.