MENTAL FRACTURE “Disaccord”

Self-released, 2022

Music: Progressive Metal
Website: https://www.mentalfracture.com/
Duration: 51:00 (9 tracks)
Country: Israel

Israeli Progressive Metal quartet Mental Fracture released their illustrious first full-length album “Disaccord” this month, and wow…did they deliver! Perhaps one of the very strong albums I have listened to thus far, in 2022 – I thought of penning this review to help this band reach heights and get the recognition they deserve. Inspired by bands such as Dream Theater, Opeth, Porcupine Tree and King Crimson, the band plays a unique take on Progressive Music coupled with thought-provoking lyrics.

The album starts slowly with a blissful intro “Echo of a Heartbeat”, with a cinematic touch, the song shows what a person can expect out of Mental Fracture. The best part about their songwriting is how they utilise the prowess of their keys and guitars – almost as if both were meant to be played, and complimented together. This is evident from the track “Summer Dies” which features a Key-heavy intro dipped in a guitar-rich flavour. Another noteworthy track on this album would be “Inception of Fear”. This is where the band branches out into different themes and incorporates traditional organs along with their original prog-rock sound. It is a seven-minute masterpiece that takes some patience to sit through and wait for the best moments spread across the entire song.

The title track has one of my favourite intros on the entire album. It has that medieval folk-ish relish that then gets merged into the complex song structure featuring a very good guitar section and a unique drum fill. Then around a minute mark, you get to hear the keys! They nailed the timing in it as the elements go well together – you’ll find it just a tad second after. Midway into the track, there is a clear distinction between heavy riffage and guitar picking. You get both in two different strata. This is perhaps the best track on this album, and I would like for everyone to give it a shot and understand how good of a songwriter the band is!

My friend always says the Prog snobs are difficult to understand, considering the demands they out forward when a progressive act announces their album. I won’t say Mental Fracture would have followed all of those, but they did hit it out of the park in terms of creativity and songwriting. You do have a lot of elements mixed into the original Progressive sound, and you do get enough of the original flavour that the OG bands had followed – hence I started the review by mentioning bands such as King Crimson, and Dream Theatre. I’m positive that this album will be a great experience for all those who like a bit of uniqueness in their playlist – be it those who adore Progressive music or those who like mainstream radio-friendly songs.

Tracklist:

1. Echo of a Heartbeat
2. Summer Dies
3. Goodbye Forever
4. Hello
5. Concrete Wall
6. Inception of Fear
7. Disaccord
8. Clockwork
9. Hearts of Stone

Line-up:

Vocals & Keyboards – Ori Mazuz
Guitars – Yogev Shpilman
Drums – Hai Maler
Bass – Philip Tsukerman