The Kymatica
2011 EP


4.5
superb

Review

by Thompson D. Gerhart STAFF
August 26th, 2011 | 21 replies


Release Date: 2011 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Thirteen minutes of jaw dropping progressive metalcore.

The only thing hard to tell about this release is whether or not The Kymatica are trying to wave the flag for a new melodic metalcore revolution that stands its ground, or if they're full-on trying to reinvent the progressive metal "djent" subgenre. With a sound reminiscent of a much heavier The Fall of Troy that retains all of its melody and throws in a good spoonful or two of crushingly heavy guitars that is also somehow fronted by a vocalist (Jeff Ocampo) who sounds like a more aggressive version of Parkway Drive's Winston McCall, it's easy to see how the genre bending comes into play. Regardless of how you choose to classify them, the energy here is high and the performance is spot on and well-produced, even considering that this is an unsigned band.

Clean breaks with a mastery of melody layer over chugs that, for once, fulfill their role in the metalcore sound without overstaying their welcome. Drumming on the EP is sharp and fast, but always in line with the music. The only (minimal) flaw to be seen is the almost unheard bass guitar. But with so much going on in the rest of the sound and with such a low tone coming from the rhythm guitar, it's hardly missed. For a thirteen minute EP, this manages to feel whole and simply leaves the listener energized, impressed, and definitely wanting more.

From the driving leads and melodic interludes of "Anima Mundi" to the hooks of "Loss of Connection" or the fading melodics of closer "Currents," The Kymatica unravel a short, but sweet masterpiece that ups the ante for anyone within the realm of competition. This simple EP is enough to tell the rest of the melodic metalcore and djent world to wake up and freshen up, because the genre just gained a new leader.



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user ratings (11)
3.8
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
AtomicWaste
Moderator
August 26th 2011


2888 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Short and (hopefully) sweet, just like the album.



Download (for free!) here: http://got-djent.com/release/ep-2011-2



Seriously. Do it. This is amazing.

AfterTheBreakdown
August 26th 2011


7245 Comments


This is pretty awesome.

Scoot
August 26th 2011


22199 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

checking it out

ZippaThaRippa
August 26th 2011


10671 Comments


probably

AtomicWaste
Moderator
August 26th 2011


2888 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Listen to it, then judge for yourself. It's free for god's sake.

Athom
Emeritus
August 26th 2011


17244 Comments


I've never heard this band but what I do know is that by taking their name from one of the most pompous, bloated, bullshit psuedo documentaries ever I wish them nothing but the worst.

AtomicWaste
Moderator
August 26th 2011


2888 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

What documentary? I have no idea where the name came from, shit just sounds awesome.

Athom
Emeritus
August 26th 2011


17244 Comments


you tube the bandname minus the "The" in their title. its a bunch of nu-hippie ramblings and political conspiracy theories loosely tied together as a plea for a resurgence in spiritualism

Rev
August 26th 2011


9882 Comments


I know the people in this band. I'm friends with the drummer

foxblood
August 26th 2011


11159 Comments


really, a 4.5? i mean it's good but that's too high. the guitars are amazing, but the production leaves a lot to be desired. the review doesn't give any concrete reasons as to why this is a straight up 9/10 album

foxblood
August 26th 2011


11159 Comments


listened to first five seconds of said documentary and they give an entirely incorrect definition of the term "evolution". that was enough for me

AtomicWaste
Moderator
August 27th 2011


2888 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I think the vocals are right where they need to be in the mix. The lead guitar might be a little high, but it doesn't really bother me. I kind of worry that moving the mix around would reduce its effectiveness. This is a case where I feel it may sound better with vocals being secondary to guitars.



It was a kind of quickly written review (dealing with a whole mess of a situation with the approaching hurricane and certain individuals directly in its path). Did it to alleviate a bit of stress, mostly and to take a stab at a shorter style. I'd have to think hard if there were to be anything else I could really add without coming across in a fanboyish style (which I worry is already happening, despite the fact that I have no connection to the band).



I guess what really makes it a 4.5 is that this is a clear standout from its peers and that it shifts styles effortlessly and really does right what a lot of other melodic metalcore albums do wrong. Guess I could emphasize that more. Maybe I'll edit this at some point.



Rating and opinion still stand.

foxblood
August 27th 2011


11159 Comments


fair enough:] lol writing reviews despite hurricane

Scoot
August 27th 2011


22199 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

this isn't bad guys

bloc
August 27th 2011


70094 Comments


Now this is how it's done

bornmanh
August 29th 2011


64 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Cool guitars, nothing else really

Kulti
September 18th 2011


72 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Can't get into the production. I mean for what do you have a singer when you can hardly hear him

bassfiender
September 22nd 2011


109 Comments


"nu-hippie ramblings and political conspiracy theories loosely tied together as a plea for a resurgence in spiritualism"?

I'll admit that it might have the occasional spattering of neo-hippie ramblings, but the majority of the film is outright fact concering the condition(ing) of humanity

If any other band had the vocals this low in the mix it would ruin it, but this band doesn't really need vocals at all

silentstar
October 5th 2011


2528 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

The music is amazing, but the vocals could be polished at a few edges. If they added cleans too, that would be pretty sweet.

ToplllQuark
October 8th 2011


14 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Amazing EP!



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