Benighted – Ekbom
Release Date: 12th April 2024
Label: Season of Mist
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal, Grindcore.
FFO: Cattle Decapitation, Napalm Death, Aborted, Dying Fetus.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
I’ve never been particularly drawn to Grindcore. While I typically gravitate towards the heaviest music, Grindcore has always felt somewhat inaccessible to me. Hence, it’s no surprise that I arrived late to the Benighted party. My introduction to them was only last year (live) when they opened for Archspire, and I was taken aback. Yes, their sound was ferocious, but it wasn’t devoid of substance. Since then, I’ve delved into much of Benighted‘s discography, and I must say, Ekbom has a tough act to follow. Nevertheless, let’s delve into its depths.
Ekbom creates an ominous feeling that permeates through you. It’s a relentless onslaught of brain-bashing riffs that show no mercy. While this characteristic isn’t novel for Benighted, their brilliance lies in the details. The band adeptly weaves captivating melodies amidst the chaos, crafting an atmosphere of horror through sheer force. Ekbom crashes over you like a tsunami of rage. If you’re feeling stressed or angry, this album is tailor-made for you.
Though there are occasional moments to catch your breath, the onslaught of vicious blast beats arrives precisely when you needed the most. Despite the mix being louder than a rocket launch, I never found myself overwhelmed or desensitized to the noise. Ekbom refuses to linger in one place for too long; it’s akin to downing two energy drinks and a large coffee (although I strongly advise against this, you could die!).
Benighted adheres to a formula, and Ekbom is no exception. While this album bears strong influences from Aborted, Benighted isn’t striving to reinvent the steel here. It’s difficult to determine if this instalment surpasses albums like Obscene Repressed or Necrobreed, both of which are worth exploring. In fact, it’s challenging to distinguish between them all. Benighted serves as France’s answer to Aborted, and much like its Belgian counterpart, consistency reigns supreme throughout its catalogue. If I were to offer a minor critique, I find the abundance of voice samples distracting; the music speaks volumes on its own.
For those, like me, who have never quite connected with Grindcore, Ekbom strikes an excellent balance between Death Metal and Grindcore. It never loses sight of its purpose: to force you to confront the demons within and scream, “Not today!”
(4 / 5)
