El Shit. What a horrible band name. Almost childish. But if it’s the band’s decision to call themselves that, I as a reviewer cannot do anything but respect their choice.

However, of course, it’s all about the music. Let me introduce El Shit to you. El shit is a dutch band that decided to give their own spin to the recent nu-metal sound. Oh, I don’t even know if you can call El Shit Nu-Metal, cause the music is too complex and too ‘metal’ for the Nu-Metal bandwagon, but to make it easy: El Shit gives their own spin to the recent Nu-Metal Sound.

They already released an EP in 2002, wich was a CD that brought nothing spectacular but too long songs. Yet I also heard a band with potential. But, to say it straight away, with this cd, they didn’t really fulfill that potential; The guitar riffs are pretty ok, but sometimes you think they’re repeating themselves. Redundant is a keyword for El Shit. More Variety in the songs wouldn’t harm them.

But then again, fans of Will Haven, (also a band who recycles their riffs) will definitely walk away with this album. A typical love it or hate it cd.

Maybe you are about to ask which bands are comparible to El Shit. Ok: Machine Head is playing soccer with Meshuggah while Will Haven is on goal and Pantera is playing the referee.

Last point of criticism: The production is not good. It’s too soft and I don’t know if they’ve got something against their drummer, but sometimes you almost have to search for a Drumrhythm (ok, I overreact). But if you listen to other dutch bands like Dreadlock Pussy, Neuk! or Brainshake, this cd loses on production level.

All and all: It’s a cd that’s getting better each time you listen to it, but never reaches perfection. It is a next step for this band, and I’m already curious about the next record. I have the feeling they can do a lot better.