Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Ektomorf - Instinct - 2005 - Nuclear Blast

Track Listing1. Set Me Free 2. Show Your Fist 3. Instinct 4. Burn 5. The Holy Noise 6. Fuck You All 7. United Nations 8. Land Of Pain 9. Break You 10. You Get What You Give 11. Until The End 12. I Will

My "in-box" has been getting a lot of these types of records lately, with releases from the likes of Bio-Hazard, Pro-Pain, Crowbar, and Kryoburn getting media attention of late. Now I get Ektomorf, a Hungarian band that have enjoyed a ten year recording career and numerous shows with legendary acts such as Fear Factory and Pro-Pain. Ektomorf have now unleashed Hell with their sixth record to date and second for Nuclear Blast with "Instinct", a brutal and pulverizing experience that recalls "Chaos AD" era Sepultura as well as the vicious mentality of Machine Head.

A lot of these records will just grind on the listener, almost becoming unbearable with the hate filled lyrics and rather mindless song structures. Ektomorf are definitely not doing anything original here, really for the most part just doing what everyone else has already done before them. But there is something rather catchy about this particular release, a thundering addiction to hear it more and more, no matter mood or mindset. "Instinct" is really cut from the same cloth as Brazilian and Denmark soundtracks, with the likes of Konkhra ("Weed Out The Weak"), Overdose, Criminal, and Sepultura all playing this particular style and doing it well. Ektomorf could be included in that illustrious list, really shining in the most hateful and sadistic fashion. With the mean and gutsy Farkas Zoltán at the helm, the band take on all challenges with a punishing display of rugged, uncompromising brutality. This isn't for the weak of heart boys and girls, no this one is a real cut-throat, with plenty of downtuned chops, grinding bass, and aggressive drums.

For the most part each song is structured to incorporate shouting, gang vocals, driving groove based riffs, and a mid-tempo pace. Songwriting is geared more towards the "profane description of the world" and the "it is me against you so bring it" type of thought pattern. The group do get socially and politically involved in some songs (see "United Nations"). With the gritty and groove based production job from the masterful Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Mnemic, Disbelief, Illdisposed), this band get the opportunity to display their harsh and oppressive sound in grand fashion.

Not the most mature record or even the most original material I'm hearing of late, but with the production and musicianship, this one is worth the money.


--EC 06.22.05



Album cover link: http://www.ektomorf-fanclub.com/official/albums/6_instinct.jpg
Band link: http://www.ektomorf.com
Label link: www.nuclearblastusa.com