FRACTALS

Fractals is Absolace's second work, issued two years after the debated first experience Resolve(d). The band is based in the UAE despite its members are multiethnic. Compared to their previous lineup, a definite bass player, Ben Harris, has been enrolled to relieve the drummer Greg Cargopoulos from his double role. This has added a quid to the lineup. Nadim Jamal (vocals) and Jack Skinner (guitar) are the remnant of the band with Kyle Roberts, the former keyboards player, appearing as a guest on some tracks. Fractals provides good hints to include Absolace in the prog metal family. Indeed the work is characterized by deep guitar riffs and definite bass lines, added to a melodious voice, reminding on one side Tool and melodic doom metal and, on the other, Pain Of Salvation and Riverside. Of course theirs is an atypical prog metal, devoted to melody, and even in darkest moments Jamal's voice is able to break the clouds and let the sun in. The album is made of ten songs, all clearly prog metal but two: Shape and Form, a melodic metal ballad and A, showing a touch of jazzy sounds leading to a cantabile refrain. The other tracks are, as mentioned above, full of interesting bass solutions such as "funkyish" slapping and powerful guitar riffs.