A fine line between nu metal and the thrash like metalcore played by a band like Devildriver, that’s Costa Rica’s Agressor’s playing field, catchy, simple, memorable riffs that stand out for their energy and easy digestive elements.

Before Echoes of Despair we have had a couple of bands tried to exploit the early 2000 “fever” for nu metal that was running wild through the US and the world, but non as successful as this guys (in our country that is!), with a professional recording and production this EP comes to show to all rock and metal observes that we have talent, is just a matter of time and patience.

Three solid tracks that show the thick heavy vocal work from Nelson, whose deep performance is not exactly death metal like but it is certainly heavy without becoming a growl, to some a good thing to others just not metal enough. And yes there might not be 100 solos on the EP but this guys have the quality to write simple, yet catchy and very “groovy” tunes, a talent that very few have I may add, it actually make me think of another musician that has pretty much based his career in his ability to create memorable riffs without complicating himself with long uninterrupted solos, Max Cavalera…don’t believe me, just listen to Soulfly or his entire work with Sepultura.

The lyrics need some work, but they do their part by providing a repetitive and memorable ambiance that most “mainstream” music fans can digest and heavy enough for metal fans to hold on.

You can call Agressor Nu metal, metalcore, whatever you want really, but once you listen to this Echoes of Despair you are going to have to realize that this guys can really energize your ears with their music, and that is something more valuable than to just be complex and experimental, the real question is… can they pull the same “magic” on a full length album?