Ektomorf
Destroy

THE REVIEW

Sometimes the line between a clone band and a tribute band is very thin; this is the case with the Hungarians Ektomorf, active since 1994 and since then engaged in assimilating and replicating every recipe of the Sepultura-Soulfly duo and any musical formula conceived by Max Cavalera's mind. In my humble opinion, in the case of Ektomorf, we can speak with more certainty of a tribute band, because it is a matter of passion and dedication to the cause of tribal thrash metal-hardcore and not mere imitation.

A cause carried out with enviable pride and consistency despite the strong criticisms that have rained down over the years on the Farkas brothers' group, essentially based on the lack of originality of the proposal. These criticisms, while not unfounded, do not make me personally consider originality a decisive factor for the positivity or otherwise, the enjoyment or otherwise of a musical product.

And Ektomorf are definitely enjoyable; it is primordial music, instinctive, suitable for the mosh, like an ethnical dance from a remote African country, pressing and hammering that grabs you and doesn't let go.

“Destroy” is the band's first album on a major label (Nuclear Blast), and it is a definitive, modern, and determined step forward compared to their early productions (which went fairly unnoticed on the music market), which, still immature, did not manage to express the songwriting potential of Ektomorf, a clear ability to write thrilling tribal anthems, tracks full of groove and furious hardcore shards, all seasoned with a very basic lyrical framework but with strong social and anti-racist connotations.

Just listen to the opening track "I Know Them" (introduced by a gypsy chant) to understand how much Ektomorf love Sepultura and Soulfly, a perfect thrashcore opener composed of a rough production, abrasive guitars, a very percussive rhythm section, an engaging, easy yet effective chorus, but above all a vocal tone that, if you listen to it for the first time, you'll ask yourself "but this band, when did Cavalera form it?"; it's followed closely by a heart-stopping pair, the heavy title track and the anthem "Gypsy" with its irresistible refrain and a musical base cemented by raw but impactful riffs (which also take on a certain nu-metal riffing style); the choruses are definitely the strong point both on the album and live of the band, as evidenced by tracks like "Painful But True", "No Compromise", "You Are My Shelter", and "Everything", as is the norm in such a proposal, the hardcore component cannot be missing and has its expression in the very violent "Only God" and "Tear Apart"; even less fast-paced and more cadenced tracks make their noteworthy appearance, like the distressing "From Far Away" (where the gypsy chants from the opener resurface), the third-world style "AEA", or the beautiful acoustic and instrumental piece "From My Heart". The solos, needless to say, have a typical Kisser style. Besides the Sepultura-Soulfly influences, there are also some (not too veiled) references to early Machine Head.

"Destroy" to the ears of someone not passionate about this branch of metal might seem like just any ordinary disc, but for those who love the sounds derived from Sepultura's teachings, Ektomorf are a real paradise of emotions; this is why I can only give full marks to this album, which I consider the best in their discography.