Artist: Capharnaum
Label: Willowtip
Release Date: 2/17/04
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Title: Fractured Artist: Capharnaum Label: Willowtip Release Date: 2/17/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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5 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
I consider this album one of the better technical death metal recordings in the last few years. Even though it's got a slight metalcore vibe to it that I find distracting, I am more than willing to overlook that mild annoyance and wallow in the amazing sense of musicianship that oozes throughout this entire disc. I haven't heard anything from this band before, and hadn't even read the press release so that I would be entering this experience with virgin ears (that or maybe I was too lazy to, or maybe I just lost it, but there's no reason to quibble about such trivialities).
"One word review: Impressive." This album is aggressive and progressive, finding a delicious area between extreme music and musical dexterity that is hard to find. This band has the ability to write catchy, memorable songs while simultaneously impressing us with their technical abilities, and all the while not looking like they're showing off. While there is no doubt that the band's abilities are on display, they never overdo anything. The solos accompany and accentuate the music, rather than just masturbate over it. And unlike most bands of the technical or prog ilk, these guys keep the songs concise and to the point, so that their power is never diluted by solos that wear out their welcome. In fact the entire album is brief, eight tracks that span barely a half an hour, which might turn off some, but I just figure they cut out the fat.
While I'm normally a meat and potatoes riff man, I find myself more and more attracted to the leads on this record (especially the ones on the closing track, "Refusal"). Don't get me wrong, the riffs are cool, and they carry the songs, but the leads are infectious and really add to the overall feel of the record. Leads like these are almost all but forgotten in today's era of metal, which either foregoes the solos altogether, puts very little thought into them, or beats them into the ground with fanatical flying fingers (nice alliteration!) that don't go anywhere.
End result is that this is an impressive freakin' album from start to finish. And while the album doesn't cling to my psyche as much as I'd like it to, it is a must have for fans of the genre. I think we'll be hearing a lot more from this band in the future. One word review: Impressive.
Death's Review:
Capharnaum hail from Florida, and feature members of Martyr, Monstrosity, and Trivium. Their album, Fractured, is a whirlwind of highly technical hardcore mixed with intricate and rhythmic Florida death. Think Death's Individual Thought Patterns, Carcass' Heartwork and Dillinger Escape Plan's Calculating Infinity, with flowing guitar solos and hardcore screams. The downtuned death metal evokes some of the best elements of the early 90's Stockholm death metal scene, but that only lasts for so long, as Capharnaum are always eclectic, always changing. As an added bonus the riffing is tight, tehnical and intricate a la Monstrosity's most recent work.
"Bottom line: If you like start-stop, over-the-top, intricately controlled chaos, you are gonna want to check this one out." Bottom line: If you like start-stop, over-the-top, intricately controlled chaos, you are gonna want to check this one out. Personally, I'd never heard of Capharnaum before. I figured that it was just another in what seems to be an ever-increasing sea of bands. Then I listened to the album and I was surprised at how cool it was. Indeed, while they are by no means household names within the metal community, Capharnaum are far from run of the mill. I expected something average, and instead got a solid notch or two above. I'd like the songwriting/catchiness factor to improve a bit, but I'm nitpicking, mostly because the potential here is so great. If you are the type of person who enjoys being "in the know" early and like turning your friends on to new bands, then check this one out now, because there is no doubt that these guys are on to something that could prove extraordinarily exciting somewhere down the line. In the meantime, this album itself is pretty damn good.
Hel's Review:
Favorite track: “Refusal”Before listening to this album, I’d never heard of Capharnaum before. But I tend to like the bands on Willowtip’s roster, and the logo was drawn in a death-y style, so I disregarded the odd name and rather plain album cover art and went straight for the music. And I am very glad to have done so.
"Fractured immediately makes an impact and stands out as an amazing release." Capharnaum plays an extremely technical form of death – my favorite kind. Exhibiting both outstanding musicianship and the ability to compose complex and interesting songs, Fractured immediately proved itself an album worth keeping in the CD changer. The shifting time signatures and intricate guitar work are only two of the things that make this an album worth listening to. Occasional bursts of melody are little more than a tease, for it is the jazzy undertones that really keep the album moving along at a compelling pace. And those of you looking for interesting solos need look no further.
Capharnaum have succeeded in creating something fresh and interesting – a feat that has become more and more difficult to achieve it seems. Fractured immediately makes an impact and stands out as an amazing release. It’s always a joy for me to find a new band this good. I’ll definitely be looking out for these guys in the future, and you should too.
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