Ankla - Steep Trails
Ankla mainman, guitarist Ramon Ortiz, used to ply his trade in an act called PUYA, who caught on to the tail end of the rapidly burning out nu-metal scene, releasing two 'major label' albums and bagging themselves a stint on the1999 Ozzfest tour. As PUYA completely passed me by I can't comment on how Ankla differs from Ortiz's previous band, but apparently it was his intent to forge something 'heavier' and 'more brutal'. PUYA, then, must have been as soft as a Care Bear's foreskin 'cos "Steep Trails" is a long way from the last word in musical extremity.
Hailing from Puerto Rico, Ankla (whose name translates as 'Anchor') have incorporated traditional Latin music into their metalcore. Shuffling samba rhythms rub shoulders with downtuned, staccato electric guitar thuggery, and there are flourishes of flamenco guitar. Unfortunately, the metalcore part of their equation is too straightforward. Resolutely mid-paced, the songs on "Steep Trails" begin to sound very samey very quickly. There's not a single riff or melody which stands out from the pack and offers something new to the listener. It's a real challenge to concentrate and give this record your full, undivided attention for its 49-minute duration; your mind soon wanders to more interesting subjects, such as what you're going to have for tea, why it burns when you urinate, and the wallpaper.
Ankla are a Christian band, but you'd only really know that from the number of times God turns up in the bandmembers' thanks lists. Lyrically, they're fairly straight down the line metalcore (disenchantment with modern life, the injustices of the world, the word 'motherfucker'), except for 'Still Alive', which deals with the consequences of a nuclear accident in Brazil in 1987.
The Latin influences in their music do add a little spice to the proceedings, but any metal band dipping their toe in those waters is inviting inevitable comparisons with two other, world-class acts, and unfortunately for Ankla, this is a contest they're destined to loose. Ankla come across like a watered-down Soulfly, and as Soulfly themselves sound like a watered-down Sepultura... well, like orange juice, there's only so many times you can dilute metal before it loses its flavour altogether. The bigger Brazilians attack both the metallic and 'ethnic' elements of their sound with a conviction and strength rarely on display on "Steep Trails".
It's clear that a lot of effort and talent went into the creation of "Steep Trails". Some of the musicianship is sterling, particularly the flamenco playing. But the end result is an album which lacks that necessary hook to keep bringing you back.