UNSUNG DIVISION

It is quite evident from a first listen what the case is here: a "single"-type release with one track from Kekal's forthcoming release and four electronic-music tracks that only serve as fillers in order to give this release some existence.

'Dividend in Division' opens the EP and is the only track worth of further analysis. It begins with a "techno" sounding keyboard but soon the heavy guitars take over on an experimental/punky riffology on a rather annoying drum-programming sound. However, the vocal melody is fairly decent and saves it from disaster. The techno vibes continue throughout even when a strong (but short) guitar solo kicks in and another proggier section leads it to its conclusion. Although not a complete composition, it entails a couple of interesting ideas.

Tracks 2 to 5 represent what I would call a pointless electronica experimentation with atonal passages and pure programming - even the addition of (any) keyboards would help give this some life. The only exception appears at a couple of minutes in the closing track where a layered guitar melody and a dreamy vocal section accompany the beat with some success. The joy lasts for about only 60 seconds or so...

With a single experimental/electronic-metal track there is not much here to recommend. Conclusion: Avoid or give it a go if you are a fan of such music as the EP is (still) free to download.

This EP might not exactly be the best introduction to the Indonesian band/project Kekal, but as it's their latest one I decided to tackle it first. The first song "Dividend In Division" is from the new album that is scheduled for release in 2015, and it is a solid track with interesting riffs and nice lyrical output. The next three tracks are best not mentioned much, as they don't seem to be much more than boring, even irritating electronic noodling. In the last song "The God Particle" Kekal gets back on track, and there are some quite nice bubbling motions and experimental sounds which create an interesting atmosphere. 2 stars seems quite fitting for this release.