Fraver - Artifact

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Fraver’s Artifact takes listeners on a shadowy, dramatic adventure as the intergalactic hero strives to obtain a potent, mystical artifact before it falls into the wrong hands. Fraver uses his synth and guitar palette to paint intricate, exciting imagery and draw listeners into the tale he’s weaving. I find myself wrapped up in his auditory storytelling.

Each instrumental element on Artifact is well-judged to create a specific mood, sonic feeling or energy level. Fraver can wrap the listener in seething darkness, touch their heart with sparkling light and evoke a ferocious space battle as he deploys his auditory arsenal. I find myself absorbed in his tale as he tells it in tone, timbre and texture.

Another reason I am drawn into Artifact’s world is the melodies that Fraver writes. His melodic abilities evoke triumph and tragedy, melancholy and joy as the story unfolds throughout the album. I enjoy the way in which he uses melody to carry the listener along. Each melody reveals another aspect of the storyline as it is woven for us.

I also enjoy the atmospheric nature of Fraver’s music. Each track creates a sensation of being immersed in the atmosphere of the places and experiences that Fraver evokes. I lose myself in the imagery that forms out of all of the musical layering and depth that fills Artifact.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Feel It” beings as heavily throbbing bass intensifies in volume and intertwining, darkly shaded synth trembles. Intimidating bass dominates rebounding kick drum and ticking snare drum that form a guiding pulse. Keen-edged synth carries a roaming melody with a mournful quality above reverently glowing notes.

Sharp guitar slices in, also carrying a pained melody while bass rumbles and drums reverberate. Clean-edged synth flashes brightly, carrying the wandering melody before a guitar cuts in with jagged edges. Distantly drifting synth moves behind the guitar above the guiding low end sounds.

Elevated synth slips through, feeling uncertain and lost before the guitar makes a cutting path through the music. The pleasing main melody floats in again, full of disconnected and aching feeling as the lacerating guitar contrasts with it. The track ends as it fades out on string-like sounds.

Razor sharp, slowly shifting bass moves with angular power into open space to start “Running Away.” Clapping percussion briefly touches the track while chest pounding kick drum pulses. Smoothly gliding, cosmic synth pulses glide, effectively creating contrast with the other sonic elements sharper signature.

Rising, swirling synth drifts over open-voiced percussion as bass oscillates below it. Brassy, minor key synth bursts out in a majestic melody, tinged with shadow as bass motion and guiding drums shape the music. The noble main melody is imbued with an adventurous feeling as hollow sounding arpeggios spin. Drums keep on pulsing far below and the bass undulates easily.

There’s images of sailing across open space for me here as the elevated synth shines with starry light. Hollow drums keep up their motion as the muscled bass heaves and a darkly echoing sound drifts. Gigantic bass oscillates as the main melody shifts through with radiant light and sweeps into quiet.

“Arrival” opens as towering, rough-edged bass growls below resonant, string-like synth notes floating into open space, lost and full of sadness. Reverberating, medium-high synth drifts above the dangerous sensation surging below it.

Round-sounding, triumphant synth soars out, carrying a melody that radiates victorious feelings. The main melody bursts out and the bass pounds before launching into a charging throb along with heavily colliding drums. Distorted, twisting synth carries the melody before slashing guitar cries out, exuding enjoyable strength above the drum and bass heartbeat.

Gleaming lead synth repeats a broadly drifting note pattern accented by blinding synth light. Once again, the guitar cuts into the track with deep power while glittering lead synth flickers out above the hard-hitting bass.

Panpipe synth fills the track’s open space with cosmic, floating notes to begin “Electromagnetic.” Metallic, raised synth pierces the track and punching, driving drums and bass propel it. Gruff, medium-high synth carries a yearning melody out over chest thumping drums and growling bass.

The guitar cuts in with a sharp tone, adding force to the main melody. Underneath it all, drums throb and bass seethes as tinkling synth notes add shine while delicate sounds drift. Bass grows ever more Stygian as the drums pound. Thunder rumbles and rain patters as panpipes flow with ear-pleasing, ethereal sensations.

Medium-high, shining synth carries the melody as it reaches out while the brittle guitar rakes through the music, full of intensity. Elevated sounds have a slicing quality that cries out far above the bass tide while reverent synth glides and silence falls.

“Rise To The Stars” commences as agitated bass pulses move unevenly while swirling radiance fills the background. Colossal kick drum is joined by an evenly guiding snare drums. String-like synth plays a tension-filled, orchestral melody that contrasts well with a warmer feeling in the music.

Threatening bass surges and drums throb with crushing weight as a tripping synth pulse shifts. Nervous, rapidly vibrating synth adds uncertainty as panpipes burst in minor key notes, feeling uneasy and detached. The main melody combines shadow and motion while drums add form above deadly bass.

Galactic sounds move through and glistening synth carries a pained melody. Underneath everything else, void-deep bass enhances the music’s darkness. The main melody feels hurt as it slips above vast depths while off-kilter sounds skip through. The track ends on string-like synth carrying a melancholy melody while drums and bass intimidate before silence falls.

Spaced out, drifting synth chords glimmer and move in as coruscating light pours from elevated synth above solidly pulsing bass to start “The Chase.” Broad-sounding, trumpeting synth carries an ear-pleasing, victorious melody out over bass oscillation as high notes glisten.

Ferocious, biting bass supports the driving percussion to launch the track. Brilliantly shining synth carries the main melody’s proud triumph above titanic, cutting bass and aggressive drums. Undeniable ferocity permeates the track’s low end. A half time segment comes in as ragged synth slowly fades. Now chimes flash out in a sparkling pattern as tranquil notes glide.

Bass oscillates and silky lead synth slips carrying a relaxing melody. The drums hit hard again and growling bass keeps the music in motion. Above it all, the main melody exudes mastery and strength while a guitar dances in now, flickering as the low end slams on.

“New Guns In the Cyber-Arms” begins as harsh 8-bit sounds rise in pulses and churning bass pounds as the digital sounds climb. Super Synthesaurus creates a raging guitar tide that moves below warm notes drifting down to form an interesting contrast.

The drums and bass are an overwhelming, almost physical force as they smash into the music. Digital-sounding synth adds another sonic layer above the guitar maelstrom as drums and bass ram forward.

Again descending notes flit past and thunderous guitar lacerates as 8-bit sounds shiver with a tremulous feeling. There is undeniable power that dominates every aspect of this track.

Angular bass flows in pulsing motion as raging guitar drives in short bursts, open-sounding drums tap and gargantuan bass oscillates to open “Cosmic Darkness.” The guitar cries out with a doom-laden melody as a rounded synth chorus slips past and bass surges below.

I’m drawn to the angry, threatening main melody as it unfolds. Bass heavily throbs and more gentle sounds float past in contrast. The guitar is accented by creaking, digital sound as hollow drums throb. Expressive, medium-high synth carries a caressing melody, in contrast to the guitar's absolute rage.

Percussion shapes the music and muscled guitar shifts. Now the lead synth flows delicately while ethereal notes shift an the guitar slices again. A more dynamic melody is carried by sailing synth while the low end drives on. The guitar adds dangerous force before the track ends on tender notes.

Conclusion

Fraver’s Artifact is one of those albums that transports me. I find myself soaring through the stars, outrunning the villains and making a mystical discovery with the album’s hero. Throughout it all, the shadows grow and I wait with excitement for the tale’s climax.