Customer Reviews

Absolute Zero

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Tetrafusion is an experimental progressive metal band from Louisana, and Absolute Zero is their debut album. This is how the band describe the album in the booklet:

Absolute Zero is a concept album based on cosmology, along with the associated theorems and laws behind it. The album depicts the life of the universe from beginning to end via the form of instrumental music.

Along with this, each of the eight songs on this disc, some of which are divided into multiple movements, is explained in great detail. Starting with the 10-plus-minute "The Beginning," the album takes on a fusion of fluid, articulate guitar and keyboard parts built around a bass-centric drive. A perfect choice to represent the overall vibe of the album, the song weaves crushingly heavy passages and atmospherically dense sections with subtle changes in tempo and melody. Both bass and guitar solos abound, where the guitars take on a liquidy flow during the solo passages.

The use of cello and piano on "Dark Matter" helps establish a more laidback yet emotionally engaging context while the transition from the soft acoustic passages to the fierce, head-spinningly agile guitar work on "Energy" contributes to the diversity of Absolute Zero. Of particular note is track four, "Gravity." It starts off with a gorgeous piano motif that eventually takes on a jazzy feel. It is informed by constantly ascending and descending melodic patterns. According to the information given in the booklet, the acceleration of gravity is 9.8 metres per second, which is symbolized by the song's opening riff in the 9/8 time signature. From here on, each section sees the band morphing the melodic drive, constantly dropping one beat with the arrival of a curious Latin breakdown and shifting to 4/4 or 8/8 rhythms, and then to 7/8, losing yet another beat. It sounds very mathematical perhaps, but unlike many instrumental prog bands, Tetrafusion's songs are absolutely listenable and painstakingly well composed.

The aptly titled album finale, "The End," is equally complex if not the highlight of the whole album. At over 15 minutes, it is the song that depicts the inevitable fall of the universe. Alternating between passages filled with symphonies of riffs and piano-supported melodic interludes, the song turns into the soundtrack of the apocalypse. The first movement, "Expansion," sees the quartet building (expanding) the melodies from a time signature standpoint while the second movement, "The Big Freeze," depicts mankind's reaction to this catostrophe. Without doubt, the last movement, "Absolute Zero," functions as a summary of the album, or the life of the universe in this case, and gets particularly emotional during the piano-driven medley to "resurrect" its former phases. If the wailing guitar solo at the end doesn't devastate you, then you're not breathing.

Overall, Absolute Zero is highly recommended, especially to fans of instrumental progressive music. This is so far the only instrumental disc I've liked from start to finish this year.
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Tracklisting- The Beginning . Dark Matter . Energy . Gravity . Inertia . Momentum . Time Lapse . The End

First of all, allow me to apologize for showing up late to the dance. A friend actually turned me on to these guys almost a year ago. Their stellar instrumental debut kept getting shuffled to the bottom of my play list, simply because (like many of you) I am an addict; buying 3 or 4 CD's a week. In anticipation of their upcoming release, "Altered State" (which will feature vocals), I felt re-visiting "Absolute Zero" was well... long overdue.

OK... For those of you unfamiliar with these guys, let's get one thing out of the way. Yes... Tetrafusion has an aural signature that sounds very similar to Dream Theater; along with obvious compositional nods to Circus Maximus, Symphony X, and Liquid Tension Experiment. -All of whom the band cites as influences, so let's get over it and get on with it.

What sets these guys apart from Dream Theater? First off, Tetrafusion is a band concerned with writing great parts first and foremost. (Just listen to the instrumental mix of "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", and you'll find that the backing tracks do not really hold up long by themselves.) It may be more appropriate to frame this band relative to other instrumental endeavors. So, in the tradition of Canvas Solaris, the Fu˘king Champs, and new-comers Scale The Summit and Animals As Leaders, "Absolute Zero" is not a self-indulgent solo-fest, a la Rudess, Petrucci & Co. (Are there any other members of that band? Oh yeah... there's that drummer guy.)

Seriously, the first thing that will grab you about this album is its sense of dynamics; its ever-changing rhythmic structures, shifting riffs and evolving melodic devices. Eschewing cookie cutter formulas, each piece is a singular creation. There are no egos on display here. Solos are well-placed and reserved. The focus is on the ensemble as a whole, the interplay and balance of both rhythm and melody. (I'm reminded of Gordian Knot; more in approach than style, obviously.) Don't get me wrong. These guys have the chops. There are some great guitar and keyboard solos in the mix, and even interplay between the two, but they are typically kept under the 25 minute mark. ;)

Even though I'm having a bit of fun bashing Dream Theater, I'm actually a fan. Frankly, however, I'd love to hear them deviate from their comfort zone and give us something fresh. (I haven't totally been in love with anything since "Metropolis: Scenes From a Memory", which was 10 years ago.) Well... Here it is. If you're a DT fan, you'll want to keep an eye on Tetrafusion. The upcoming disc with vocals (great harmonies too) sounds like it's going to be killer!

My only complaint: Their name. Being a jazz fusion guy, I saw the word `fusion' and was expecting a cross between Planet X and Uncle Moe's Space Ranch. Make no bones about it. This is progressive power metal, every bit as good as the big boys. Put both "Absolute Zero" and "Altered State" on your shopping list.

If you like abstract rock you will love this. For a new group these guys are outstanding..

I was contacted by this band on a social networking site, and was asked to give their music a listen. Given that I was influenced by many of the same artists that this band was influenced by (Dream Theater, Opeth, etc...), I sifted through a few of their tracks. Although I found their concept to be somewhat cheesy, I knew right away that as musicians, they knew what they were doing. And now that their album has made it into the general market, I have nothing but respect for these young musicians. Their musicianship is solid, and their songwriting bring a lot of fresh creativity to the table.
This is a an instrumental progressive metal album, so they really had to pick up the slack to make up for the lack of vocals. And after giving it a close listen, I really feel that they have pulled it off well. The Dream Theater and Symphony X influences are very clear, but they still have a unique original sound. I look forward to their next release, which is rumored to be their first with the new vocalist. Congrats guys!