Fractal Generator are the new force in space death metal right now, with their sophomore album Macrocosmos gaining a ton of traction online. By informing their classic Morbid Angel-styled riff base with a modern sense of cosmic atmosphere, they've created something with a really different and unique that's capturing a lot of ears - mine absolutely included. After listening to this album two or three times, I knew I wanted to get more information about what it was and where it came from. I managed to link up with the generator known only as 040118180514, and the mysterious entity was kind enough to provide me with some source data. Below are my findings.

Nathan

What is the mission statement of Fractal Generator?

Our mission really is to create a certain type of sound that we don't think exists. A dark death metal sound that can be open to incorporating many different styles and ideas and creates an atmosphere that transports you into the cold reaches of space.

From what I've gathered, the early material of Fractal Generator (The Cannibalism of Objects etc.) was written with a loose, improvisational approach, but Macrocosmos sounds much more focused and structured (correct me if I'm wrong). Tell me about the songwriting process for the new album and how the creative process differed compared to previous works (if it did differ much).

The band has changed A LOT since the demo. The demo was a quick improvisational experiment that got some attention online. When we restarted in 2013, we had a very different approach in mind, mainly to write more thought-out and refined material. With each album release, we continue to grow as musicians together and improve our song writing processes, and each member brings unique skills and background that are indispensable to what we do.

To follow up on that, it's been six years since your previous album came out - what took so long? What's the band been up to since the release of Apothosyntheosis?

We did have a lot going on in our personal lives around that time, but I won't get into that. We make sure that our albums are perfect before releasing them, so it takes as long as it takes. It's important to us that each song we release is something special. You could say it is also part of our mission statement.

What were some of the main influences for Macrocosmos (musical or otherwise)?

040118180514: Gorguts, Emperor, Augury, Strapping Young Lad, Mayhem, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Timeghoul
102119200914: Deicide, Timeghoul, Myrkskog, Morbid Angel, Teleport
040114090512: Der Weg einer Freiheit, Ne obliviscaris, the Faceless, Ulcerate

We're not really influenced by any band lyrically/thematically, we just write about stuff we think is cool and suits the music. I guess you could say we're inspired by science/technology/science fiction/horror etc.

One thing that any listener should get out of your music is the suffocating, cosmic atmosphere. That being said, one might say space death metal is in vogue right now, with bands like Blood Incantation, Artificial Brain and Wormed getting recognition. What do you think makes Fractal Generator unique?

It comes back to wanting to create a certain sound because it doesn't exist. So, when you start from that standpoint, you're likely to end up with something original in the end. I think that shows in our music. We get compared to bands and most of the time I have trouble seeing the similarities.

How important are lyrics and the literary themes behind Macrocosmos? Do they indicate greater meaning and depth or are they mostly just vocal placeholders?

Admittedly we put more time into our music than our lyrics, but I would still say that they are important for telling the story and conveying the meanings we wish to intend.

How did you come into contact with Everlasting Spew and how has the partnership been so far?

They contacted us in early 2017 after we digitally self-released our first album, Apotheosynthesis. Since then they've grown a lot and we can't say enough good things about them. It's been a great experience and they are very professional and hard working. Releasing the new album has really shown us how much experience they've gained over the last few years and we're proud to be part of their roster.

Being from Ontario myself, I can't say I've heard of you guys or seen you live, so it blew me away when I found out you were based in Sudbury. Prior to the pandemic, did you play live often?

We don't play live very often. We have probably played 20 shows or so, a few of which were outside of Sudbury. Mostly southern Ontario.

I appreciate how each member of the band seems to have their own side-projects that have cool things going on themselves, even though they're very different from Fractal Generator. To diverge a bit, tell me more about these other outlets for your creative juices. Any other new music you're working on I should keep an ear out for?

For people into black metal, 040114090512 plays in Symbiotic Growth who released a self-titled EP and is currently writing a new album.

For those into djent he also plays in Tides of Aurora who released an EP and is currently working on a new album as well.

For those into grim, folky post-black metal you can check out Finnr's Cane, who have a new album ready to release soon, or if you're more into old-school symphonic black metal there's Wolven Ancestry which features 2 members from Fractal.

Are there plans for shows and/or touring in the future, once the pandemic ceases?

We will play a few shows to celebrate the album release, but there are no official plans yet.

What is the best way for fans of your ridiculously dope new album to support you (and give you money) during the pandemic?

You can get our album via Everlasting Spew Records https://www.everlastingspew.com & https://everlastingspewrecords.bandcamp.com/album/macrocosmos .

We'll also have the album and merch available through our Bandcamp page in the near future https://fractalgeneratorofficial.bandcamp.com

Thank you for your time in answering these questions. The closing statements are all yours.

Thank you for the interview.

What a way to end the year! On the last day of 2001 and I get my questions answered by Maurizio Iacono from Kataklysm! Have you heard "Epic (The Poetry Of War)"? No, then get to the local store while there's still time and end this year with a real kick in the face from our Northern-hyperblasts. I don't want to repeat myself here (you can read the review) but Kataklysm once more proved themselves as a class-act in a death metal world and with the addition of a few new elements to their traditional sound, they created a masterpiece that made my knees bleed. With this bloody accent I wish you all more of that in 2002… and that won't be a problem while listening to albums like "Epic (The Poetry Of War)".

Chris


Congratulations on a perfectly composed music assault to keep us warm during the winter. Is that cold Canadian winter a big reason for such heavy molesting of your instruments?

Well, there must be something in the water making bands play faster than the norm, that's for sure... [laughs]

Why 'poetry' instead' of 'power ' of war, such delicate word with so brutal an event?

It's a play on words, something poetic is meant to be beautiful and delicate yet war is destructive and dark. The Romans used to sometimes associate both, by saying that War was a beautiful thing... a necessity for survival.

Are you against or for the present situation in Afghanistan?

I'm for it... those responsible should pay for the horror they have committed. The sad thing is our paradise has fallen now we must be vigilant, 'til the enemy is defeated.

Are all tracks related to the topic of war only and from what point of view?

Most of the album deals with the human mind and how it can make the whole difference in conquering problems in life… I've used the Roman Empire and war themes as an example of that... the reason they conquered the world is because they used their intelligence, not because they were bigger or stronger men. The same tactics used by the Romans and their ideology/strategies on battle is still the base for all wars conducted by super-powers like the USA.

It seems like Rome I' and 'Rome II' is a mini-concept on this album; to what event does it relate?

It's basically the rise and fall of Rome in two parts. To write it in a detailed manner would take me many more albums... it's too long. I just wanted to show with this that Power can bring you the greed that will kill you in the end.

Although "Epic" is still a traditional Kataklysm release, there are more influences from other genres; the album seems more melodic, there are some thrash and black metal elements. How different was the writing process from your previous releases?

It's getting easier and easier to write... I guess we've matured and now know how to put to music what we are thinking... which is sometimes a problem if you limit yourself, we don't restrict ourselves and wanted to put all the influences that make Kataklysm what it is... the most important thing is that it flows like water.

"Epic" is Kataklysm's most technical release to date, how hard did you have to work on it and did it take more time to write it than before?

It took us a whole month and a half to write... that's how this is getting to be part of us, as long as we have something to say, I think it will be easy to express ourselves. We have ideas and everybody in the band collaborates and makes it interesting. If we would take months to write, I think that we would lose that original edge that comes with being spontaneous.

A lot of lyrics are sung in a more black metalish style, which is different from what most death metal bands do. Why did you choose this form over traditional growls?

I get bored of using the same tones over and over again... so I try to put variety in it... I like high pitch and low ends... and I also go mid range, whatever fits the mood.

Do you think all those changes are a natural progression of the band within the last 10 years or is everything happening according to the original plan?

It's rare that plans stick... they never do most of the time, especially if it's for the long run... so we go with the flow, we've survived many obstacles that would of destroyed many bands... and to actually come back and become stronger than ever makes me very proud.

How are your relations with Nuclear Blast right now, you've been in and out and in again?

It's never been as good as it is now... we have people over at the head office in Germany who really take care of us and believe in Kataklysm. I think we deserve a better push in N. America... but you don't get what you desire every time.

I've heard that the European tour turned out to be a huge success for you. What was so special about it and can you share with us some embarrassing or weird stories from it?

It was amazing... probably the most successful Kataklysm tour in Europe... people were really digging the new album and we made a lot of new fans, which is resulting in us going back in march for our first euro-headliner tour and our first festival appearance at WITH FULL FORCE in Germany in July.

An embarrassing moment was me singing with my fly/zipper wide open... J. F. kicked me and said "dude your zipper... " ...I'm like "oh shit!"

You've been touring a lot but is there a band you dream of playing with?

I mean we could only tour with extreme bands... so I'd have to say Napalm Death, one of my fave bands and one big influence on Kataklysm.

What are your future plans to support "Epic"?

Tour more in 2002. Europe is confirmed... hopefully we'll make it to The States.

Is Kataklysm a band of close friends or do you do your job and each one of you goes separate ways until the next record or tour?

We are friends, if we didn't get along it just wouldn't work. There's too much blood and sweat involved and not enough money... we don't see each other often cause half the band lives in the city and the other half in a different city an hour away.

Are we ever going to see Kataklysm as a band of "Northern-melodic-happy-blasts"?

Melody will always be present but the 'Happy' part ain't happening with Kataklysm!