Today, I’m going to talk about an album I was eagerly waiting for. I had to delay writing this piece until I fully absorbed the album. But now, I feel ready…

French prog death metal band Fractal Universe, known for their technical and jazz metal, released their much-anticipated album The Impassable Horizon on June 25. The first two singles were very promising and became songs I replayed endlessly. Additionally, an interview with the band’s drummer, Clement Denys, added to my excitement. Given how much their compositions resonate with me, I was really worried about the album possibly falling short.

The Impassable Horizon opens with “Autopoiesis,” a track that immediately engages listeners with intense blast beats. The clean vocals add a great melodic touch. What caught my attention the most was the Cynic influence, especially evident in the guitar solos. The harmony between the clean vocals and Masvidal-like guitar solos was a delight for a Cynic fan like me.

“A Clockwork Expectation” is much more aggressive and melodic compared to the first track. I’ve been listening to it non-stop since it was released as a single. The harsh vocals are dark and gripping, while the clean vocals are delicate. It even has a slight symphonic feel. The catchy chorus, combined with everything already going perfectly, leads to a saxophone solo that makes you want to hit replay immediately. I love songs that make you feel a range of emotions, and Fractal Universe excels at this.

“Interfering Spherical Scenes” stands out with its bass lines and complex rhythms. I can’t help but mention that its intro reminds me of “Eye of the Tiger.” I wouldn’t place this track at the top if I were ranking the album. The instruments and vocals don’t seem to complement each other as well. Next is “Symmetrical Masquerade,” which has a theatrical vibe and heavy use of bass. The deep atmosphere created in the middle with the bass and guitar makes it one of the stronger tracks on the album.

“Falls of the Earth” is another aggressive track. Among the songs so far, this one leans heavily on the vocals, but overall, it didn’t draw me in. I feel like the drums saved this song from being less impactful.

Now we get to “Withering Snowdrops,” a track that keeps you moving. Each part is rich and full. It has a slightly different vibe compared to the rest of the album. I wasn’t sure if I liked it until the saxophone solo brought a huge smile to my face. It’s an energetic and exhilarating track.

“Black Sails of Melancholy” is exactly as its name suggests… It starts with a melancholic saxophone solo and gradually builds up. Vince really knows how to play that sax. This track is undoubtedly one of my favorites on the album. The melancholic arpeggios and vocals take the album to a different level. The backing vocals, which aren’t very prominent in other tracks, add a nice touch here.

After “Black Sails of Melancholy,” the album shifts towards a more progressive metal sound. “A Cosmological Arch” has solos that stand out—bass, saxophone, and guitar—each one shining brightly. It seems that Fractal Universe focused on different elements in each track, ensuring the album satisfies everyone.

“Epitaph” is packed with ever-changing riffs. They’ve successfully integrated softer parts into the metal framework, creating smooth transitions. My eyes lit up when the solo kicked in, but it was too short. A longer guitar solo would have been a perfect fit for this song.

The album’s longest track, “Godless Machinists,” is a mixed bag. It captures both the melancholic and aggressive sides of the album. It’s like they tried to condense the album into 8 minutes, and it worked. I was hoping for a longer guitar solo here, but alas, the album has ended.

Finally, they reimagined “Flashes of Potentialities” (from Rhizomes of Insanity, 2019) in an acoustic version, adding a beautiful touch to the album’s conclusion. The original guitar solo is replaced with a saxophone solo, giving the song a completely new character. I wouldn’t be surprised if Fractal Universe releases an “Acoustic” album soon.

So, The Impassable Horizon journey ends here. It was quite a ride. Very few metal bands incorporate saxophone as a permanent element, and Fractal Universe does it brilliantly. I hope we don’t have to wait too long for their next album. Here are my favorites for you to check out: “A Clockwork Expectation,” “Black Sails of Melancholy,” and “A Cosmological Arch.”

Happy listening!

Asuna Pehlivan