French Prog Metal band Fractal Universe poses some interesting questions regarding this sub-genre of Metal on their new album, The Great Filters (M-Theory Audio).
The opening track might lead you to believe this is going to be more of a Death Metal album than it is. There are already some solid Progressive Death Metal albums being released this year from bands like Sadist and Ancient Death, so it’s good these guys feinted more to the right as they can’t match the muscle of those bands when it comes to heaviness. Though these guys are not writing songs for Sadist’s audiences either. These guys are writing songs for people on the nerdier side of the Prog Metal equation who are going to be tabbing out the guitar solos, after scrolling back several times to give them a second listen. If you are into guitar solos then this album is for you. If you think they are self-indulgent, then you might as well stop reading now.
These guys also incorporate Jazz into what they do with sax solos also not being in short supply. This is executed in more of a smooth Jazz manner than anything linked to say, John Zorn. Here the line is drawn as it shows the difference between being “Progressive” and “Experimental.” There is little in the way of experimenting as these guys have a pretty solid songwriting formula in place. Once you are a couple of songs into the album it’s clear these guys are operating from a sonic zipcode that sits closer to Devin Townsend along with the softer touch of bands that are not Metal at all like Dream Theater. Thankfully plentiful clean vocals on this album sound more like Weird Al trying to be serious rather than Steve Perry belting out power ballads.
It could be argued that “The Equation of Abundance” has a more Meshuggah-like throb, but is less mechanical, though also packs less of a punch. “Specific Obsolescence” plays with atonal passage as the intervals are shuffled around like playing cards, yet flows much better than the previous songs. It is also more melodic with an anthemic guitar solo. “Dissecting the Real” does employ some time signature choices that are effective, and sure to please their fanbase. But to be clear none of this conveys aggression being vented through their instruments in a manner that is metal.
By the time we get to “Concealed,” they might not have progressed all that much, but have finely tuned the taunt formula these songs are crafted from. Perhaps it’s the smooth Jazz vibes, but there is something very relaxing about this album. Do not listen to it if you are sitting still in traffic or operating heavy machinery. It is well made for what it is and their audience who are into this sort of thing will be wowed with the squeaky clean guitar tones and mathematical works of art that are guitar solos.
To some, this might feel like the Air Supply of Prog Metal, to others this will be the heaviest thing they listen to all year, but this band’s efforts paid off as this album flows so well that even if it’s not your thing it makes for enchanting background music.
Buy the album here:
https://shop.fractaluniverseband.com/categorie-produit/the-great-filters/
7 / 10
WIL CIFER
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