CD Review: Fractal Control's 'Disconnection Equals Freedom'

Fractal Control
Disconnection Equals Freedom
Self-Release

Links: YouTube, SoundCloud

Fractal Control is Mike Louttit's new release of instrumental rock/metal, surf psych, and avant-garde stylings that are somewhat futuristic, but never dull. The Ohio-native wrestles with technological advances leaving real humanity in a social quandary. Regardless of the message, the mostly instrumental release contains seven thought-provoking tunes. The piano-driven, "Already Ourselves," is an instrumental ode to humanity that contains brief atmospheric washes and an artificial intelligence voice that describes an introspective analysis of life. "Awakened And Aware" opens with a mind-numbing, instrumental guitar, bass and drum composition with metal aspects abounding. The instrumental tune contains glittering guitar work, punchy melodies, and a driving rhythm that is full of aggression. "Retrace" contains a drowned-out guitar or bass solo that is very improvisational or avant-garde. It does not contain any other instrumentation. It sheds the metal characteristics of other songs and it is relatively short at only one-and-a-half-minutes.  "Hidden Truth" begins with a psych, surf rock instrumental that goes into a finger-frenzied, guitar experience that is rich with sparkling guitar notes in true rock fashion. There are robotic, spoken words near the end of the song. Overall, Fractal Control does a great job awakening the human spirit with Disconnection Equals Freedom. The music is great for fans of instrumental rock, experimental, new age, improvisational, and contemporary ambient sounds. 5 Stars (out of 5). ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Corvus' 'Never Forget'

Corvus 
Never Forget
Self-Release

Corvus is Arizona's premier heavy metal band. Their new album, Never Forget, will be ingrained in your mind with all of the memorable riffs and guitar solos littered throughout. "Through Dead Eyes" contains heavy beats with loud vocals, but a killer guitar solo and loud percussion. "Deja Vu" opens with a synth-like quality before delving right into a heavy mix of guitars, drums, and vocals. The song is a bit more melodic than other tracks in a Three Days Grace format. "The Spider And The Fly" is equally-melodic, but the thrash metal approach is wickedly fast at times and the vocals dark and moving. "Never Forget" begins with church bell-type sounds that fade out and a string-like medley of atmospheric beauty takes over for a brief moment. However, Corvus' rock side takes precedence with fast percussion, choppy guitars, and a deep bass. There are thirteen tracks in all. Nothing is amiss if you like the hard rock or metal genre. Whether you call it speed metal, melodic rock, thrash metal, or hard rock, Corvus is bound to take your breath away...and then sing about it. ~ Matthew Forss