Hailing from Norway, a country known for its high quality in both progressive and extreme metal, the expectations are always high when a new band emerges on the stage.The heavy progressive-metal band Frail Grounds challenge these expectations with their debut album, The Fields of Trauma.
Frail Grounds was formed late 2005, and released their first EP ‘Corrosion’ in 2008. Their musical vision was always to create interesting and flowing soundscapes, merging elements from different genres ranging from traditional heavy, progressive and extreme metal, yet always maintaining a melodic baseline.
The recording of the album ‘The Fields of Trauma’ started by the end of 2010 at Lionheart Studios, and was finished fall 2011. A conceptual album, ‘The Fields of Trauma’ follows an expedition deep into Siberia, and deals with how far a person might go under extreme circumstances, in order to achieve a sense of resolution.
We took a listen to ‘Freeze Me’ from the Fields Of Trauma album - and this is what we thought: Grandly operatic - this shines like a crystal cathedral on a distant hill. Ever visible, but so hard to reach. Sheer guitars sheathe the burgeoning bass notes that come bundled, grumbling and rumbling in the dankest mire. But the keys ascend willingly from the ice - and the sheer joy of soaring voices that sail into the radiant sun - will gladden your heart.
A complicated verse structure is, however, perfectly enjoyable - especially as it spirals closer and closer to the vertiginous cliff faces of sound that can be found in the looming climax of the chorus. Sometimes this piece rushes headlong into a mix of brooding despair and melancholic moodiness. But at other times it is a source of inspiration and joy - an exercise in abundant hope and expectation.
This is an epic piece of work.
– © Neil_Mach August 2012 –
Link: http://www.facebook.com/frailgrounds
