Ektomorf
“Instinct”
Nuclear Blast
The Inside Pulse:
Ektomorf, a power metal outfit from Hungary, has been gradually making its way through the underground metal scene since its inception in 1994. The band’s sound has developed into a wall of sound, with thick, distorted guitars and groove-laiden backbeats. The mix of hardcore, thrash and punk along with a hint of traditional “old world” melody immediately leads listeners to draw comparisons to Soulfly or Sepultura.
Positives:
It’s not bad to pick a band like Soulfly to emulate to some extent. The band’s sound seethes aggression and and fan of the metal genre would immediately feel at home listening to the band. To some degree, the group is a harder-hitting Il Nino stripped of the pop sensibilty. It has an old school feel with a new school sensibility and refuses to cut corners in order to appeal to a broader fanbase.
Negatives:
The band isn’t really doing anything new, though what they do, they do well. For the most part the vocals are spot on and crystal clear (which is a good thing given that a lesser band may have chosen to go for an intentionally lesser produced sound to create an underground atmosphere), but there are times where the vocals get lost in the mix — of course, that would be a problem from the production end of things, not the band.
Crossbreed:
As has already been said: If Soulfly was a 10, Ektomorf would be Soulfly on 7. “Instict” blows away anything Sepultura has put out since losing Max Cavalera in the early 90s. Or, if you prefer, Il Nino minus the pop and not quite as “ethnic.”
Reasons to buy:
This metal release really stands alone in the genre this year (apart from a killer Soulfly release). It’s a grat opportunity to get int o a new band without knowing what you’re getting into. The band’s sound is instantly comfortable and each of the 12 tracks is a headbanging joyride.
