Tales of the legendary island of Atlantis, said to have sunk beneath the waves “in a single day and night of misfortune”, have been told for more than 2,400 years. No matter that it never existed, the fabled continent has been the subject of thousands of books over the centuries, a testament to the enduring power of the Atlantis myth. Still, it is perhaps an unexpected theme to be taken up by a Canadian electro-industrial project. On the other hand, “Canadian electro” has always stood for complex and profound sounds identified with acts like Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, Numb and Decoded Feedback, so it’s a small step to move from complex sounds to complex themes.
This thematic challenge is taken up by Fractured on the second full-length, “Beneath The Ashes”. Anyone expecting sterile or overly convoluted sounds is on the wrong track, as this time around Fractured have incorporated a range of organic elements such as acoustic guitars and orchestral arrangements to bring a new depth to their music.
At times reminiscent of a soundtrack, this is a dense and compact album that never stays too long in one place, maintaining an air of tension throughout, just like an ancient continent foreshadowing its destruction. In other words, never a dull moment: club-ready electro tracks alternate with gentle ballads, always keeping the listener on her toes.
Source: Newsletter
