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Eken Is Dead: Amendment

Eken Is Dead: Amendment

Modern American Rock/Metal
Rating: 3.75/5.0

Black Sound Records
/www.ekenisdead.com
www.myspace.com/ekenisdead
Added March 14, 2009
Review: Craig Hartranft

When I'm contacted by an modern American rock or metal band for review, I normally cringe. Constant readers know that we're rather large skeptics of what passes for mainstream American rock and metal. The former believe they are less sellouts than Hinder or Nickelback. The latter think they are more novel and certainly more contrasting than all metal combined. Both think they're not reinventing the wheel.

Then there are those from California: ever since Haight-Ashbury, Jane Fonda and Jerry Brown, they all think that everything from Napa Valley to East LA to the Santa Ana winds gives them special inspiration. (And if you're not catching the sarcasm now, quit reading.) Then along comes a band like Eken Is Dead who, like their notable cohorts Canobliss, are both highly talented and severely unrecognized (except maybe in their corner of the globe).

First, I'll get the bad news off my chest about the things that really put me off. There's too much screamo vocals and too little serious fret work on 'Amendment' to please me. Generally, Navarrette is clean and clear for a start, but then drifts to the severe, bent to the ground, microphone in the esophagus screaming on most songs. On the last three songs, he's like a man having his toenails pulled out by Osama Bin Laden's henchmen. I only wanted to turn him off so I could hear the good stuff, the music (I could have easily stopped after 'The Glue'). Also, though there's generous and meticulous riffing on 'Amendment,' I didn't hear an identifiable and vibrant guitar solo until the fifth song, 'Affliction' (very good; the solo that is, not the lack of them).

Additionally, the angry, angst ridden and 'just shoot me' lyrics are not only depressing but, frankly, creep me out. If you are at all depressed, then do not listen to 'Rock Bottom' where Navarrette cries, 'Every time I live I want to die.' Even the noticeably duplicitous Obama gives us a measure of hope after he tells us the economy is going to hell. If despairing or faithless, do not hearken to 'rtb' where we hear: 'I need a reason to believe, That this world isn't f*cked and rigged, And crashing down on me, I need a reason to believe.' Cripes, I'm not looking for bubble gum, feel good pop music here and honesty has its merits, but chill out guys, it ain't all that bad. (Now I know why the Gideons put Bibles in motel rooms. Our lyricist should really look up John 10:10 next time he's on the road.)

Unfortunately, these aforementioned things are part and parcel of what is the essence, and major selling points, of current American modern rock.

Now, the very good news: though mostly following modern American trends, Eken Is Dead delivers some true inspiration in their song composition turning those same trends on their heads. Throughout 'Amendment' there is a healthy undercurrent of fusion as Eken expertly and deftly blends hard rock, heavy metal, groove metal, and very subtle, some jazz notions. Two standouts that come to mind are 'Falls' and ambitious and outstanding 'The Glue.' With the exception of the mundane screamo/metalcore pieces 'Amendment' and 'Shackled,' this thread is tightly woven within this disc. Even with my earlier remarks, when Navarrette isn't tanning the leather of his lungs, his vocals are both stirring and sublime. And Arevalo has some fine licks sounding more than inspired on 'Affliction' and 'Falls.' But he still needs more of a presence, much more. As for the rhythm section, Almanza has a solid and sweet touch on bass and drummer Espinoza plays with clarity and passion.

Even though modern American rock still annoys and befuddles my sensibilities, Eken Is Dead and their fine work, 'Amendment,' gives cause to be encouraged. Their talent and strength is in their provocative and eclectic fusion of rock and metal which easily and thankfully overturns any mundane modern music undercurrents they may have.

In Short

Even though modern American rock still annoys and befuddles my sensibilities, Eken Is Dead and their fine work, 'Amendment,' gives cause to be encouraged. Their talent and strength is in their provocative and eclectic fusion of rock and metal which easily and thankfully overturns any mundane modern music undercurrents they may have.

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