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Released on November 7, 2014 via Napalm Records
Austrian metal outfit Kontrust have been on my radar for a while due to a combination of quirky music videos and an interesting interpretation of nu metal in songs such as ‘Hey DJ’ and ‘Bomba’, but also have the capacity to write bone fide anthems such as ‘The Smash Song’ when the play it straight.
The arrival of album number four Explositive seems a good motivation as any to become fully aquatinted and for good reason too, as the eleven track collection courses with an enthusiastic energy that is complemented by a bucket load of hooks.
For the most part proceedings are played straight with quirky effects or tricks used to add spice as demonstrated in opener ‘Dance’, as an Arabian style guitar melody occasionally interrupts the bouncing groove and industrialised riffing, while the contrasting vocal interplay of Agata Jarosz and Stefan Lichtenberger provide the unique character to the well-worn style.
‘Why’ sees them channeling their best Skindred impression, then lead single ‘Just Propaganda’ livens up proceedings by mixing chugging metal grooves with up tempo rock chorus and dashes of electro dance synths that ‘I Freak On’ continues with a very funky and danceable groove… oh and trumpets!
Something to note at this point is how noticeable, big and also interesting the often forgotten bass playing is in the mix with some very cool bass lines making an appearance throughout…
‘Shut up’ is one my favourite tracks on the album (probably because it references ‘The Smash Song’) as it mixes System Of A Down theatrics and alt metal histrionics with Agata’s husky vocals unleashed to full affect.
After ‘Cosmic Girls’ changes up once again with a very bouncy happy vibe and quirky lyrics ,‘Vienna’ with rhythmic riffing leads back into stadium rock territory with a huge gang vocal chorus and also contains a superb breakdown and buildup in the second half involving marching beats, dubstep and flutes!
‘Bulldozer’ follows this up with a massive southern rock/blues groove and an infectious dual harmony vocal (impressive considering they are literally singing about owning a bulldozer…)
An impressively funky bass underpins ‘Play!’ although the mid-paced nature of the rest of the song doesn’t do it justice although this is the only outright weak track, as the sprightly and anthemic ‘This is My Show’ certainly gets things back on track complete with whistling and trumpet.
Played in full every song feels like it will be amazing fun to experience in a live setting as well.
