FRACTURED SPINE
"Songs of Slumber" (Inverse Records;
2013)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"Songs of Slumber," by Finnish rockers Fractured Spine, is a chilly, unforgettable atmospheric journey.
I've had this album on my desk for a long while and I've attempted to review it time and time again. But that's not an easy task. "Songs of Slumber" is such a unique album, such a unique sound, that it's difficult to put it into words.
Let's just say that it seems to be set in a cold, desolate world (not just based on the album cover, but the music's icy style). Then you add knife-blade guitars, double-tap drums, an effective combination of clean/not clean vocals, with spooky piano and David Lynch-style sound effects here and there.
Yeah. That's about it. But it's some amazing stuff and it will keep you riveted from beginning to end. It's weird, it's wild, it's uber-atmospheric but "Songs of Slumber" will not do the thing the title indicates: It will do anything but put you to sleep.
For more information, check out http://www.fracturedspine.net.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2019 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
