Review: Fractal Universe – The Impassable Horizon

Style: Tech Death (mixed vocals)
Review by: Evan
Country: France
Release date: June 25th, 2021

At the rate at which I am reviewing tech death albums, I am going to have no material left for my introduction, and the originality of my quips will fade faster than that of the genre’s new releases. This is quite facetious, as while it may often hold true, I have been reasonably, and in some cases more than reasonably, pleased by the recent output. After spending my last few evenings with The Impassable Horizon, I am once again, in fact, more than reasonably pleased.

Having never listened to Fractal Universe’s prior albums, the most immediately obvious stylistic comparison to their newest release is Alkaloid. For those familiar with Alkaloid (as everyone should be), this indicates a sound substantially more on the prog side than the pure tech side, which is always a positive. Fractal Universe has other parts to their recipe as well: an emphasis on clean vocals, including a few genuine choruses, and jazzy interludes almost reminiscent of Cynic. There is also a saxophone at certain times, but it is used sparingly and tastefully, fitting the music and never seeming too much like a gimmick. The music is, overall, far more melodic than one would typically expect in the genre.

Fractal Universe’s vision is ultimately well executed. Firstly, the riffing is, in general, excellent. It is technical without succumbing to tech excess or wankery, and demonstrates a clear variety of influences, old and new. The sheer abundance of clean vocals is quite rare for the genre, but they are nicely varied, and fit the music better than one might expect. The audible techy bass and diverse, but always form-fitting, percussion show the rhythm section pulling its weight. As for songwriting, the songs are, more similar to older tech death, in general quite short, and very tightly written. Well-executed soft-loud dynamic shifts abound. 

There is not much to criticize in this album. The only sticking criticism, is that, like is so common for modern bands in the genre, the album outstayed its welcome by, perhaps 5 or 10 minutes. Fractal Universe and other modern tech bands would do well to look back to old prog/tech death masters and keep their albums closer to 30 minutes, especially since the ideas feel a tad recycled towards the center of the album. 

Overall, Fractal Universe demonstrates a deep knowledge and command of the genre and produces tightly written, surprisingly catchy tracks with impressive performances that make this album essential listening for prog/tech death fans.

Recommended tracks: Autopoiesis, A Clockwork Expectation, Godless Machinists
Recommended for fans of: Alkaloid, Gorod, Rivers of Nihil
Final verdict: 8/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Metal-Archives page

Label: Metal Blade Records – Bandcamp | Website | Facebook

Fractal Universe is:
– Vince Wilquin (vocals/guitars/saxophone)
– Hugo Florimond (guitars)
– Valentin Pelletier (bass)
– Clément Denys (drums)