ALBUM REVIEW: Fractal Generator, "Convergence"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 07/06/2024
Label: Everlasting Spew Records

 
“Convergence” CS//CD/DD//LP track listing:
 
1. Cryogenian
2. Convergence
3. Askesis
4. Ancient Civilizations
5. Obelisk
6. Ciphertext
7. Xiphoid
8. Algorithmic Pathways
9. Encephalon
 
 
The Review:

Fractal Generator return for a blackened tech death encounter of the third kind here. Much like the first two albums, this is of the sci-fi themed variety of the genre. The Canadian members, known only by binary code, have created a concept piece about new planets arriving in the current solar system and the album explores this idea.
 
There are some quirky elements here- choral vocals on “Ancient Civilizations”, synths here, there and everywhere- but there are also the expected elements; death growls, warp speed drums and a distinctly dystopian atmosphere. Since Pestilence introduced atmospheric instrumental link pieces, other bands in the death metal genre have followed suit with mixed results- but things are done very well here.
There are no separate instrumental tracks, but the band does set the tone for each track with interesting intros and a surprisingly lush palette of sounds features across the songs- as mentioned.

“Cryogenian” sets the tone- fast and furious, all other tracks offer sinister creeping dread, along with  the blasting- such as “Obelisk”. The passages of riffs in “Ciphertext” are sublime and elsewhere on the album, things are just as impressive. Once again, Fractal Generator have delivered an excellently written, played and produced example of how this type of extreme metal should be done.

This is for fans of the genre- of course- but is strongly recommended because of this fact. You won’t hear better this year.

“Convergence” is available HERE

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

REVIEW: Black Hole Deity, "Lair Of Xenolich" [EP]

By: Richard Maw
 
Album Type: EP
Date Released: 05/02/2021
Label: Everlasting Spew Records
 

“Lair of Xenolich” CD//DD track listing:

 
1). Razor Earth Edict
2). Railgun Combat
3). Hypersleep Dementia
4). Multiverse Incantations
5). Lair Of Xenolich

The Review:

Right. Science-fiction and supernatural themes meet in this outstanding death metal release. I'm not familiar with the members' previous/other bands (Chaos Inception and Malignancy) but that didn't stop me getting into this straight out of the gate.

This is a razor sharp and brutal five track EP of the finest quality death metal. No blast or solo is wasted, no moment without enjoyment. It's quite reminiscent of Steve Tucker era Morbid Angel to these ears. It's speedy, dark, violent and really quite stunning.

Of the four tracks, “Hypersleep Dementia” acts as a pretty clean/acoustic bridge between the other four tracks of unrelenting heaviness. If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the raging “Railgun Combat”, but equally I like the interesting pacing of “Multiverse Incantations”.

Between this and Fractal Generator's latest beastly album, I have been spoilt for death metal these past couple of weeks. This is superlatively played, composed and produced and I urge all fans of the death metal genre (particularly those with an interest in the more technical end of the genre) to check this outcheck this out. Five stars for sure.

“Lair of Xenolich” is available HERE 

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Fractal Generator, "Macrocosmos"

By: Richard Maw
 
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 15/01/2021
Label: Everlasting Spew Records

“Macrocosmos” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Macrocosmos
2). Aeon
3). Serpentine
4). Contagion
5). Chaosphere
6). Shadows of Infinity
7). Pendulum
8). Primordial
9). Ethereal

The Review:

Well, I didn't expect a death metal album this brutal to grab me in 2021... but I also did not expect a death metal album to be this good! This is death metal in the ultra-machined style. It sounds incredible, no option for drums that aren't triggered/played on an electronic kit or programmed here as it is fast and furious in the extreme. The themes are science fiction- clearly, from the title and other track names.

This album has it all- it has members only known by identifying numbers, warp speed drums, wonderful musicianship, lots of changes and solos. There is some great additional synth work throughout as well. The information sheet lists Morbid Angel as a comparison point for fans to work from and that sounds exactly right to me- but Morbid Angel when they were really great with those brutal atonal riffs.

There are no real surprises here across the nine tracks- you get four or five minutes of metal across each song and really each is as fully committed as the last. Having the title track up first is a bold move that pays off, as it let me know exactly what I was getting. From there I simply was not disappointed. I reviewed the band's “Apotheosynthesis” very positively back in 2015 (!) but this record is even better- it has a more developed feel to the riffs, production and songs. That's no mean feat, either, as the debut was really good and more than held its own against the other tech death stand outs of that year.

The band have distilled and crystallised exactly what I (and I assume other fans) want from the genre- technical virtuosity, speed, time changes, guttaral vocals and that indefinable atmosphere that conjures up the vibe only real death metal can convey. Much like their debut, this has a mechanised and dystopian feel. Truly, the band are masters of their craft as the performances really are flawless and I can only imagine the many hours that went into writing and perfecting this record.

Whether it be the rhythmical and interesting “Chaosphere” or the slow and sinister start to “Shadows Of Infinity” (check out the time change just after the three minute mark; it is fantastic), the record does offer up some variety in the brutality on offer. It retains the sci-fi vibe and feel throughout and again the synths are quite welcome in terms of texture and atmosphere. It's testimony to the quality here that you can play any track and it will be representative of the album as a whole- “Primordial” is just as listenable as “Serpentine” and every track works as part of the album and on its own.

I can only find things that I like about this record. The playing, production, vibe and songs are all in place and the whole thing adds up to a death metal tour de force of some magnitude. Fractal Generator should be a well-known name in the death metal world, I can only hope that this review takes the band further towards that recognition. This is for all death metal fans to check out- it's a great album so don't miss out.

“Macrocosmos” is available HERE 

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

Fractal Generator - ‘Apotheosynthesis’ (Album Review)

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 02/10/2015

Label: Independent

….if The Terminator was sound tracked by a tech death record, it would perhaps be this one, tracks such as “Into The Unknown” search and destroy with a furious cacophony of spiralling riffage and drums that rattle past you at incomprehensible speed.

‘Apotheosynthesis’ DD track listing:

1. Cycle
2. Face Of The Apocalypse
3. Abandon Earth
4. Into the Unknown
5. Paragon
6. Human
7. The Singularity
8. Synthetic Symbiosis
9. Reflections

The Review:

Canadian tech-death with a sci-fi theme: that is Fractal Generator. It is entirely generic, of course, with blurringly fast drums and grindingly fast guitars. The vocals growl. End of.

Fortunately for Fractal Generator and unfortunately for those readers of The Sludgelord wanting reviews of bands who play riffs so simple that you could learn guitar, re-write them and re-record them all before the end of the first track of their self released EP, I love tech death. Thus, it is easy to surmise that I would love Fractal Generator. First track “Cycle” is a ripping and blasting tale of frantic drumming. Follow up “Face of The Apocalypse” features a rather irritating electronic beep (sort of like an alarm countdown or a spaceship entering a landing dock... or something) which I don't dig as much, but the playing is flawless.

“Abandon Earth” is more dramatic and has a lovely sensibility to the riffing. Again, there is synth lurking here and there- fair play to the band trying to open up their palate a little. As noted in recent Arkaik and Rivers of Nihil reviews, to do this music, for so little reward, for the amount of effort it takes is either the peak of artistry/heroism or the definition of pointlessness- depending on your view point. For me, admiration is available in spades for these guys. “Into The Unknown” is a furious cacophony of spiralling riffage and drums that rattle past you at incomprehensible speed. The tempos actually settle a lot on this one- blasting occurs, of course, but a lot of the track is at a relatively sedate tempo. While being faster than most people can play, of course.

“Paragon” features lock tight double bass drums rolling away at that superb slow death metal tempo. Think Immolation's “rolling tank” sound crossed with Morbid Angel, or similar. This track, as do other moments of the album, has an almost black metal type sound to some of the riffs- they are cold and angular and sinister in feel. A stand out, track, then!!

“Human” is fast and furious, again with a sci-fi and technological (not just technical) bent. Some of the tempo shifts and time feels are quite unusual too- good stuff. The outro is cool too. “The Singularity” offers up more of the same – if The Terminator was soundtracked by a tech death record, it would perhaps be this one- white noise synths crop up behind raging brutal death metal. “Synthetic Symbiosis” has an electronic intro which gives way to Dissection paced thrashing riffage. Again, there are tempo changes aplenty, with the overall effect quite bewildering.

“Reflections” comes in at number 9 to close proceedings. As is standard now, the track allows for a little light and shade from the band, as they again plunder the vibe of T2's futuristic scenes for a bleak and dystopian vibe. Samples abound regarding the universe, time and space. The band then goes for a full on instrumental of unusual riffs and time feels. As a closing statement it works brilliantly and book ends the record in great style. And yet... there is more! Kudos to the band for adding a” secret track”! That welcome feature of the CD era makes a return here. You get just under three minutes of added bonus music, which turns out to be a bleak little sinister instrumental.

As noted, Fractal Generator is of the genre and that is where they will remain. Not for them the plaudits of the Metal Hammer “Golden God” awards, perhaps never will they feature in a Terrorizer “band of the month” article. Nuclear Blast will not sign them. They exist, drifting through the asteroid field of sub genres, frantically trying to make human contact. I read their signal loud and clear, and I raise a salute to them, even as they go where many have gone before. The band are great at what they do and they have made a really good tech death album. Mission accomplished.

‘Apotheosynthesis’ is available here

FFO: Nile, Immolation, Dissection, Morbid Angel

Band info: bandcamp | facebook