Album Year: 2013
Genre: Deathcore
Location: Piedmont, OK
Facebook
Bandcamp
Bigcartel
Tracklist:
1. 405
2. Tom Shanks
3. Coffey
4. Murder
5. The Green Mile ft. Zach Griffith
As a band, you want to make sure that your first release, whether it be an album or an EP, makes a strong first impression. You want people to notice your band immediately, and notice in a positive way. There has been many bands who have gotten signed or at least some wide notice after releasing a good debut EP or album. The most recent example is Abiotic, who got signed to Metal Blade Records after just one EP. So did Kartera Morta, a five-piece deathcore band from Oklahoma, release a debut EP that will get them signed to Metal Blade Records? No, they did not but they released a good enough EP to get them somewhat noticed.
On paper, Kartera Morta look like your standard run-of-the-mill deathcore band. There is going to be breakdowns and there is going to be chugging. For the most part, this is the case. Most of this EP is stuff that you have heard before. However, Kartera Morta do incorporate some metalcore and death metal influences into their music. Music wise, most of it sounds like early The Acacia Strain or Emmure. You can also see some The Black Dahlia Murder in this EP as well.
There is one thing with this EP that separates it from others. The guitar tone is unlike anything you may have heard before. It is hard to explain but it just sounds different. Different good or different bad? That is up to the listener to decide. I liked it. I do not know if that is just the way their guitars are or if it is due to the production but it is pleasant to hear a different sounding guitar tone in deathcore. The standout track for the guitars, and for the EP, is “The Green Mile.” This track is easily the most original sounding on the EP and the band should use this song as the model for future releases. It is just one of those songs that just has everything. It has great riffs, head-banging breakdowns, an awesome guest vocal spot, some groove-oriented parts, and some enjoyable melodies towards the end of the song.
Although, their is a little lack of creativity here, it is still a fairly catchy EP. The riffs are catchy, the breakdowns are catchy, and the vocals as well. Vocalist Vinnie Moreno is a very talented vocalist with a great range. His highs could use a little work as they sound very raw but other than that he is great.
Now my final verdict for this EP is going to be a 6.5/10. The 6.5 is going to be for the few original parts on this EP and for the overall fun and catchiness I had while listening to this. The minus 3.5 is going to be for the lack of creativity. I know that it is hard nowadays to be original, but this band has the potential to be just that. If Kartera Morta backs off from the standard deathcore clichés then this band will be turning heads in no time.
Rating: 6.5/10