Fracture Point, Inherit the Downfall
I once had to write a report on Phoenix, AZ back in middle school (some 20+ years ago). During the research phase of said report, I remember thinking that the city was unbearably hot. I can only imagine how it is in today’s setting with the current global weather patterns and behavior. Hell, I bet it’s driving people mad left and right. Phoenix’s own Fracture Point may very well be proof of this heat induced dementia.
Combining sweeping guitars, crushing rhythms and a variety of metal influences, the band’s derangement leads to a debut album that’s bruising, groove-oriented and technical. Inherit The Downfall melds brutal riffs with melodic interludes into a catchy bit of thrashing metal. It’s hard to find anything wrong with this album, especially with such an impressive and rich production. It’s got a little bit of everything for everyone, all in one horn throwing package.
IED
Inherit the Downfall‘s opening track starts off quietly with some mood setting background noise, before slick guitars and chugging rhythms come in with some sweet, groove-oriented metal. The pace picks up at the :47 mark as the guttural and gruff, yet clearly understandable vocals come in. I’m digging the vocals — they’re raw, beefy, yet clean enough to shout along with. The backing vocals that come in are a nice touch and give the band’s already deep sound that much more depth.
Fearpath
“Fearpath” starts off with some light guitar work before big riffs and thundering drums come in with some creative beats. The following guitar is pretty sweet as it picks up the pace with the rhythm section. There’s a good amount of groove to this one, despite it’s aggressive nature. It makes for an excellent song! There’s a small, but effective breakdown around the 1:45 mark that’s a nice change of pace. It’s quickly followed by shouted growls and heavy as fuck drumming.
Image
“Image” starts off with some memorable guitar work before some flowing rhythms come in. The vocalist (backing vocals maybe) is stretching his range nicely on this one with some extended screams. This one thunders along at a nice mid-tempo pace. There is a nice slow down at the 2:37 point with some light guitar and noise before the vocals come back in with some powerful riffing. There’s also a pretty decent solo at the 3:13 mark that shifts into pummeling and moshing guitars and drums to end out the track.
Mind Ruin
This next one starts off with light guitar work before slowly developing guitars and drums come in around the 20 second mark. The vocals have shifted a bit to a higher range, showcasing some nice range. The layered screams work real well on this one. The end of the track is interesting as it uses some production effects on the screams.
Face of Pain
I love the opening drum work on this one, especially as it shifts into sporadic, rapid fire blasts of double bass. The song has a relatively slower pace, but is made up for with a beefier feel. The chorus is pretty damned catchy and gives you plenty to shout along with. The chugging riffs and heavy drums around the 2:20 mark are something to look out for.
Last Minute
“Last Minute” starts off with groove filled guitars and steady drums, carrying the previous song’s momentum along nicely. The cadence to the vocals on this one kicks ass. This one slows down a bit mid way through but still has some slick head banging groove as well as a nice solo at the three minute mark. I’m definitely digging this one. The military drum march feel around the 3:30 point as the vocals build back up is a nice touch. The track ends strong with some big screams.
Inherit the Downfall
The album’s title track starts off with some disjointed piano, giving the song an eerie first couple of minutes. After the piano, big riffs and thundering drums come in a thick bass heavy sound. This is one beefy track with huge riffs, layered shouts and crushing rhythms. They certainly picked the right track to represent that album. The track ends in a flurry of drum work and furious vocals.
Failure State
“Failure State” opens with bludgeoning drums and bass as driving riffs come in. This thing is heavy as hell. This is definitely one of the more aggressive tracks on the album. The thundering drums throughout it are simple bruising as layered vocals add more depth. The riffing is pretty memorable, shifting from semi-melodic hooks to mosh friendly chugging with ease.
Syntropy
This brief instrumental has some light guitar work and thick bass noise.
Manic Aggression
“Manic Aggression” fades in smoothly from the previous track with thick bass work. The pace is picked up quickly with heavy drums and driving riffs. This track is a pummeling assault at full throttle with memorable vocals. The 2:32 mark sees some beefy rhythms and guitars followed by some huge screams and heavy as hell drum blasts.
Witness in the Shroud
This next one starts out with some dark, ambient noise before some light guitar work comes in at the 20 second point. This one has got some great, heavy groove with catchy guitar work. The vocals have a brutally raw feel to them. Thick bass lines thunder in the background.
J69
The final track on this stellar debut is a fitting instrumental with chugging riffs, creative acoustic guitars, steady rhythms and excellent flow. It shifts tempos several times but maintains a nice groove throughout.
~ ~ ~
With the overall sound of a much more mature, seasoned group, Fracture Point’s Inherit the Downfall is one hell of an impressive debut album. The group combines several elements of metal from various genres into a groove oriented powerhouse.
Favorite Tracks:
All of them
Additional Notes:
N/A