Ektomorf have been around since way back in 1994, releasing their first album in 1996 called ‘Hangok’. And now with a very impressive 8 albums under their belt, it’s clear that these aren’t going to disappear off the metal radar quite yet. So having previously not heard anything by these Hungarian groovers I decided to take an ear to the new album ‘Redemption’.
There’s an amazingly atmospheric intro to the album with the first track ‘Last Fight,’ which feels very doom until it breaks in with the brutal drum beats and epic vocals and suddenly feels very groovy making me think a lot of Sepultura. The second and title track ‘Redemption’ is perfect for a good windmill session. The aggressive vocals and grindy riffs with a tinny yet fitted-to-perfection drum beat makes for a perfect track and the technical bits (weird guitar solo) is another added bonus to this already cracking track.
In all honesty, the whole album is a blinder, but ‘I’m in Hate’ is a special gem due to the anger in the vocals and the deep and dark grooves. It could easily be mistaken by one of the better Static –X tracks. ‘Stay Away’ is a seemingly Slipknot or Prong style track with lyrics possibly for the entertainment of an ex partner such as “you had your way to fuck me up, you drive me insane you make me numb, I can’t do nothing what the fuck do you want? I change my life what the fuck do you want”.
‘Sea of my Misery’ chills you out after rocking out to the earlier part of the album with its clean style vocals and acoustic guitar, which considering it’s totally different from the rest, it still fits in perfectly. ‘Anger’ is another highlight sounding like Slipknot meets Max Cavallera. An awesome track, but maybe too much like Sepultura/ Soulfly. But if that’s the direction the band is trying to go in, then they are succeeding.
All in all an impressive album and the production work is impeccable. The vocal styling both clean and growly are amazing. The groovy feel throughout, I loved, and I could hear a number of band influenced styles in there.
I’d recommend this album to anyone who needs a good album to rock out to. And if you’re a fan of Soulfly then this album could well be for you, or at least till Soulfly release a new album.
http://www.myspace.com/ektomorf
