Review of Ekser - The Obliteration Process

Phoenix’s Ekser are now known as Summoning the Plague, and methinks the name change was a wise one. As far as the music goes, The Obliteration Process EP is a solid platter of moderately intricate death metal that could pass for a cross between the trademark sounds of Metal Blade and Willowtip, though is also noticeably shy of the caliber that both labels typically boast.

Aside from intro “Premonition” and interlude “The Way of All Evil,” the rest of Ekser’s arsenal consists of four-minute tracks that incorporate plenty of variation, which results in TOP being an interesting release on the whole. The instrumental contributions, time changes, and overall song structures are definitely the greatest attributes here. Check out “The Obliteration Process” and “Retribution from Within” for concrete proof, or catchy numbers like “Casting Eternal Darkness” and “Overture” for less commanding evidence. Nonetheless, the production could use some retooling – especially the flat, shallow drums – and the raspy vocalizations are simply passable whereas more unique and/or more versatile vocals would surely elevate Ekser’s worth. The originality factor must be considered, too, since The Obliteration Process doesn’t forward bygone ideas nor improve upon anything I’ve heard before, although the songs themselves don’t sound alike. Plus, the Opethian fadeout of “Insidious” should be dropped if the band doesn’t want to be compared to the Swedes.

While much of TOP fares well, I’m hoping that Ekser/Summoning the Plague can veer slightly from the crowded path they’re on by adding ingenuity into the mix without sacrificing the positive elements they already hold. I’d like to hear better production and improvement in the songwriting department. At any rate, this is a good – but not great – start to a promising career.

Release Details

Ekser

The Obliteration Process

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