Fractal

Fractal can be viewed as the final throes of the approach Skyfire experimented with on Mind Revolution and perfected on Spectral. As such, the churning riffs amalgamate impressively with synthetic-sounding keyboard textures and sophisticated leadwork. Then-newcomer Reinholdz could have used Fractal as a platform to impress fans with his chops, but he fails to make much of an impact in these environs; not truly letting loose until Esoteric. Karlsson makes his debut here as well, but I can't help but find him inferior to Wenngren. His mid-range shout lacks staying power, and his attempts at guttural roars are a bit forceless and frail.

Save for on "The Transgressor Within", which is a pretty typical Skyfire number, the band experiments with a number of atypical guitar progressions and song structures. "Bereaved in Denial" opens with a blistering riff section, and this is perhaps where Reinholdz makes the biggest impact because his picking hand is explosively quick. Sadly, it quickly devolves into stock melodic death posturing, which in the past was rarely a problem for Skyfire. "Land of the Wolves" has slightly more appeal, featuring more keyboards and a progressive slant to the leads. This track marginally hints at the orchestral, bombastic abandon present on Esoteric, but I can't help but feel like the keyboards sound like modern Nightwish at times, hogging the spotlight and reveling in their own pointless vehemence.

"The Transgressor Within" is the real highlight here, even more so than the then-new title track from Esoteric. It follows pretty familiar routines as far as Skyfire is concerned, meshing throbbing synths with the supple leads. It has an almost laid-back, measured quality that makes for a sublime listening experience. The track builds tension up until around the 4:30 mark, then opens up to a great piano melody as the synth ebbs and flows throughout the background. The final track, "Esoteric" features some of the more fetid, stop-start riffing patterns that plagued the full-length it represents. Karlsson sounds good here though, and the groove that surfaces periodically is potent. I wasn't a big fan of the programmed choir effects Hanner used on 2012's "Like a Shadow", but it comes off as more novel here. The track comes to a head with the leads, choirs, and the synthetic orchestra coexisting marvelously.

Jonsson's kit sounds decent for an EP, but his performance is a bit weak compared to the controlled chaos he delivered on Esoteric. The leads sound a bit thin, but the rhythm guitar's tone is crisp and biting. In fact, the rhythm section here on Fractal outclasses anything else the band has released from a sonic standpoint. As usual, the keyboards are obviously programmed, demanding attention when they appear and contributing the bulk of the atmosphere.

This EP is well worth seeking out for "The Transgressor Within" alone, not to mention its place in the band's history. Skyfire learned from their mistakes here and shifted their sound in a more digestible direction for Esoteric, so Fractal served its purpose.