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Fracture are a Norwegian Prog/Power band with their self-released debut album. I am often deeply suspicious of prog, so it is an even more welcome surprise when I run across some I actually like. Fracture may be an indie band, but this sounds like a thoroughly professional album. Eschewing the diddly-diddly approach of more traditional prog, this band goes for a harder, heavier sound.

Fracture sound more like recent Symphony X or bands like Triosphere than Dream Theater, and I am glad to see the prog scene finally emerging from the shadow of Images and Words. This is a very heavy, guitar-driven album with sharp, aggressive riffing and excellent leadwork. Fracture are notable in not having a keyboard player at all, and this is prog metal like I like it: metal that happens to be a bit more complex than the standard. The songwriting is solid, the vocal hooks are catchy, and vocalist Paal Strand has a strong, versatile voice without showboating or overemoting. I suppose it is both odd and symptomatic of prog that I am lauding this album for its restraint, but there it is. A kickass debut and a band to watch.