Ektomorf-Retribution

AFM Records
2014

Having been less then impressed with Ektomorf's 2010 album, "Redemption", I never bothered to hear what this Hungary-based four-piece was up to on their last full length, "Black Flag". That release was issued in 2012 so it's been about two years since fans last heard from this lot and about four years since I last did. Formed back in 1993, with vocalist/guitarist/chief-songwriter and founding member Zoltán Farkas being the lone consistent member since day one, the band is now rounded out by Tomi Schrottner(guitar), Zsabolcs Murvai (bass) and Robert Jaksa (drums). Up-front I will say this for "Retribution". Unlike the last release I heard from these groove thrashers, "Retribution" (for the most part*) sticks primary to Pantera/Soulfly worship while WISELY avoiding anything that turned me off about their 2010 album**! Thank the maker above for that! Elsewhere faint echos of Machine Head and The Disturbed can be heard, but for the most part Zoltán's Ektomorf still reminds me (chiefly) of Pantera. Is that a bad thing? No. I mean, not really. While I was never the world's biggest Pantera fan (I preferred Exhorder!) their influence pops up all the time in modern day metal acts and when I band like Ektomorf takes said influence and makes it more of their own thing then it's fine. It mostly just depends on whether or not you prefer groove over more traditional elements like thrashing guitar solos. I mostly prefer the latter, but I'm man enough/honest enough to admit that I like to "Get into the groove..." from time to time so Ektomorf's latest, while not likely to get constant air-play in my household, does have it's moments when it really kicks hard so that might just come in handy the next time I want to break shit up!

*As much as I appreciate Zoltán's ability to scream and sing clean when the band slows things down to a mellow groove there is still chilling vibes of post-Staind/(later-day) Linkin Park-style radio rock etched in between the lines.

** Warning! The following review of "Redemption" includes references to Staind and Limp Bizkit! Proceed with EXTREME caution!

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Ektomorf-Redemption

AFM Records 2011

Redemption is the latest release from Hungary band Ektomorf. Having been in existence since 1993 ( and having released I believe 9 full length albums)one would reasonably assume that they have some sort of following. While listening to Redemption (which to be fair I sat through several times) I have to honestly wonder how and why. I'm not sure if Ektomorf want to worship at the alter of later day Pantera (pretty much the first couple of tracks) or Soulfly (about the other half). Sure there are moments like on "Sea Of My Misery" where they sound more like modern rock (Staind?). And yes "The One" reminded me of some sort of Limp Bizkit mall metal but otherwise it was been there/ heard that. "Stigmatised" could have been written by any modern metal band. Its just not that exciting. Yes they have a song called "Anger" (in which shouting anger over and over again is supposed to be angry I guess) but swearing a lot doesn't make you a brutal or heavy band. If anything it makes me roll my eyes. Like I said I gave this several listens in hopes that something would just jump out at me but it's just not that exciting. Again, yelling one word over and over again ("Redemption") is not groundbreaking. It's 2011 and Pantera really bored me the first time around to be honest. So to have a band all these years later that sound like a retread of Pantera?Sorry not cutting it with me.Nothing to see here folks so move on.