Ektomorf ‘Reborn’

Ektomorf ‘Reborn’

22 January 2021 – Napalm Records

Word: Mark Green

Heavy Hungarian thrashers Ektomorf have been around since 1994 and have never seemingly been given the dues they deserve. They released their first album ‘Hangok‘ in 1996 and have 15 albums to boast to this date. They have crafted their own legacy no matter the challenges they have faced.

Latest album ‘Reborn‘ cuts back on some of the fury we have seen from them in previous albums. If we compare it to their aptly named 2018 album ‘Fury‘, they don’t have that same pissed off edge as they did 2 years ago. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing because fury is never the be all and end all for good music.

Clear comparisons can be made between the sound on ‘Reborn‘ and early years Machine Head. Tracks have those similar tempos and catchy hooks to keep our attention. There are epic build ups at the start and a mix of thrash metal and groove. Even the vocal delivery from Zoltan Farkas sounds eerily similar to Robb Flynn‘s raspy passionate style. You could easily slot this in to the MH back catalogue, amongst the likes of ‘Burn My Eyes‘.

We get lightening speed riffs and solos on opener ‘Ebullition‘, followed by the title track that slows the pace only slightly, but still delivering heavy blows. ‘Where the Hate Conceives‘ begins with an epic build before exploding in to concrete heavy thrash metal.
‘The Worst Is Yet To Come‘ has the kind of sound and pace Soulfly are known for in the noughties – slow, pounding drums with a heavy riff that is purely there to make you nod your head along to the beat in appreciation.
Instrumental track ‘Forsaken‘ has a very Metallica influenced vibe, bringing to mind ‘Orion‘, interjected with more slabs of groove. It creates a good opportunity for the instruments to take centre stage for a short time before we are thrown straight in to one of the most fast and furious songs on the album in album closer ‘Smashing the Past‘, which again, 2 minutes, breaks down in to a Soulfly style headbangers delight before thrashing us senseless.

It’s plain to hear the influence of such classic bands that Ektomorf wear on their sleeves with pride. ‘Reborn‘ is just what you need to get your day rolling.