Artist: Ektomorf 
   Title: The Acoustic
   Label: AFM Records

This very well-known and well-loved groove metal band from Hungary is back for their 19^th year and their 8^th studio album. Over the past two decades Ektomorf have undergone change after change, with only one original band member remaining. Yet this quartet has been playing together since 2010 and has managed to keep the distinctive Ektomorf sound going.

'The Acoustic' is an album that deviates from the norm; an acoustic album for one is usually a hard thing to find.  Yet with this, Ektomorf reach back to their 2010 album in its sad melodic tones.  The album contains cover version of Lynryd Skynryd and Johnny Cash as well as acoustic versions of certain songs alongside 5 new tracks for the album.

The very distinctive Ektomorf sound is merged with possibly a sitar to create a very Indian feel to the opening track of the album.  If it’s played on an acoustic guitar, it just shows off the kills of the guitarist.  The album then descends into slightly faster and harder metal with an obvious rhythm and a strong vocalist pulling it all together.  Not so surprisingly, this album is a return to the roots of what the vocalist was and still is influenced by, with a touch of their own special music to make it theirs.

The very sombre intros on some of the songs are at odds with the heavier guitars that come in and the steady drumbeat that encapsulates it all.  The vocalist obviously knows what he can and can’t sing, and doesn’t really push his voice past his limits, which is really good to hear, especially with the raw emotion and passion that comes out of the quartet regardless of the song they are playing.

Favourite tracks at the moment include 'I’m In Hate'.  This song is obviously made for heavier instrumentals but the raw power of the vocals propels this past its heavier twin and makes it its own.  It’s really hard for me to find a track I don’t like if I’m honest, as each is different, and the contrast between melodic and heavier songs is a perfect balance of skill and power over passion and emotion.

Review by: Kerry Henderson

Tracklisting:

1. I Know Them
2. I'm In Hate
3. Be Free
4. Redemption
5. Simple Man
6. To Smoulder
7. Folson Prison Blues (Johnny Cash cover)
8. Again
9. Through Your Eyes
10. Fate
11. Stigmatized
12. Who Can I Trust?

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