Pantera is dead. Long live Karbo. Well, it could be possible that this is your first thought when you listen to Leech, the second EP of Karbo (they released Good Mourning in 2002). Karbo, hailing from Groningen, Holland is a band with a lot of potential. They already won the ‘Best of Groningen’ price and requests for shows are increasing. With Leech they can take a step up the ladder.

Is Leech good enough to make that move? My answer is: Yes. To make the step, not a giant leap. Leech has plenty of ideas, and pretty good songs, wich sometimes takes a while to get use to (wich is not a bad thing). “Phobic” and “Follow Me” are good songs with good vocal lines. Comparisons to Phil Anselmo are pretty obvious when you listen these songs. But it doesn’t bother. Where in Holland can you find a singer that sounds like good old Phil?

“Mentally Drowned’ is perhaps the best song on the record. With superb vocal lines and guitar riffs. But the ‘drum-solo’ sounds like it’s straight of Sepultura’s Roots.

The last song is the least song on the record. “Oh Shit!”doesn’t do anything for me. It’s just a metal song with some Jonathan Davis like mumbling. They also recorded Prodigy’s “Breathe”. And I have to say, the guitar lines are pretty fucking cool! The synthesizer part transformed to guitar is adrenaline rushing!

There’s enough quality in the songs. It only sounds too messy at times. I can’t really explain it. It’s not a big problem though, but I had to mention it. Karbo is different from other Dutch (nu)metalbands like Dreadlock Pussy, Dimension Seven, Outburst or Agresion (too name a few). Maybe they have more in common with a band called Form, who released a record a few years ago (also because of the vocals), but Karbo has more songwriting technique.

All in all, this is an EP that shows a band with energy, and pleasure in playing. They are capable of writing good songs, although the next time they can use a little more variety. So go and support the scene!