Review Summary: A flawed but promising and intriguing blend of djent riffs and Hungarian choruses.
For those who don't know Niburta is a folk/metalcore hybrid hailing from Budapest, Hungary. Currently they have out one album, "Scream from the East", and their EP "ReSet". Off this EP Niburta has nailed a perfect execution of local instruments, be it bagpipes, flutes, or various string instruments, to allow their roots to take hold of their music. It's a mild improvement from "Scream from the East", in that all the ethnic instruments finally repeal just slightly to allow the initially bland and tasteless guitar riffs to have some variety. This is especially heard off the opener, "ReSet". The guitar is a thick and epic wall that comes in very crushing, and has an added feisty flair from the woodwinds in the background. The riffs are also more technical without being overbearing, building upon the variety that was much needed on their previous album. However, this is not to say the guitar work isn't still slightly flawed.
This might be a big statement, but the stereotype that djent riffs tend to be kind of tasteless and bland is proven here. There are a solid number of times that the riffs are a simple loud chug of the lowest string possible, and it is during these moments it almost sounds like the woodwinds, bagpipes e.g try covering the mess by presenting their flair during these moments. It makes the other instruments sound stunning, however it is in the end just sweeping a still present issue under the carpet. It also makes you realize there isn't a single moment you can even hear the drums without a bit of strain over the ethnic instruments, emphasizing their reliance on their roots even further.
Despite this, their is much less dependence than off their previous effort, and so their is much hope for their foreseeable future. Even the vocal department has seemingly improved- none of the screams or growls are awkward or out of place. In fact they almost blend in perfectly with the pace of the music, and after a few listens it is nice to see their is a variety in song structure and pace and that the vocals always harmonize with this well. Add in some pretty stunning female chorus leads, and it is pretty fair to say the vocals are a big strong point of this EP.
Once again Niburta manages to put out a release that is unique and original in it's own right. They are putting a baby step forward, however it is a baby step in the right direction. If they can make the drums finally memorable and build upon their guitar work, Niburta may finally have a name in metalcore instead of being confined to their home country.
