Band – Fractal Generator
Album – Convergence
Country of Origin – Canada
Genre – Blackened Tech Death
Release Date – June 7, 2024
Label – Everlasting Spew Records
Author – Hayduke X
Cryogenian, the track we are honored to share with you today, opens the bleak tale of the convergence of new planets appearing in our solar system. The track is replete with pitch black riffs and an ominous sense of impending devastation. Symphonic elements heighten the atmosphere of galactic tension. These practitioners of science fiction nightmare fuel once again outdo themselves. Click play, then jump down for my full review.
Fractal Generator definitely falls into the more technical side of death metal (and I’m generally not a fan of the techier side of things), but they have been a consistent exception to that rule. Maybe it’s out of a sense of solidarity with my fellow countrymen (yes, I am Canadian…don’t hold it against me), but more likely it’s because the band absolutely rips. All the way back to “Apotheosynthesis” in 2015 and “Macrocosmos” in 2021(both also released by Everlasting Spew Records), this band has presented an ambitious mix of influence on a tech-leaning death metal framework that just plain works.
“Convergence” shows that the band is not content to sit back on its already impressive laurels. The album is monstrous, a terror-inducing masterpiece of imminent, solar system ending horror. Abrasive riffs (from 102119200914) crash into thunderous bass (courtesy of 040118180514), highlighting the violent collisions of heavenly bodies should the science fiction ‘what-if’ presented here were to actually happen. You see the premise is:
A suspected glitch in the universal simulation causes new planets to appear in our solar system. “Convergence” is an album that attempts to capture the essence of this cosmic upheaval, exploring these new planets into journeys of chaos, song by song.
Overtop of this madness lies the feral vocals, courtesy of the two band members named above, as well as symphonic elements and judicious use of appropriate sound effects. The entire album is anchored by the drumming of 040114090512, whose furious attacks pushes and pulls the attack in a myriad of directions, simulating the chaos of the storyline.
Fractal Generator have been a favorite since I first heard their 2015 debut. Blackened death metal fights with tech elements, overlayed by symphonic atmosphere, all in a way that is brutally tough. This is the darkest of sci fi, the kind Giger would approve of. Don’t sleep on this, but also be aware that listening to it may preclude sleep anyway. “Convergence” is absolutely visceral and will hold its grip on you for a long time to come.
You can pre-order the album from the Everlasting Spew Bandcamp and Website.
Biography: Hayduke X has been writing for MoshPitNation since June of 2016. He is also a contributor to The Metal Wanderlust. Prior to joining the MoshPitNation team, Hayduke published reviews on his own blog Rage and Frustration. In addition, he has DJ’ed an online metal radio show of the same name as his blog, written for TOmetal.com, done interviews for Metal Rules, and collaborated with The Art of B Productions to create video interviews with a wide variety of bands.
