Frail Grounds - The Fields of Trauma

(CD Album Review)

****
Forward Thinking Progressive Metal from Norway!

Having formed in 2005 and with one EP under their belt Frail Grounds have finally got round to releasing a full length album and a grand piece of work it is. It's also a concept album. A brave thing to do at any point in your career especially in today's sterile risk free musical climate. Concepts are funny animals, finding that balance between great memorable songs and telling a story and one not falling apart is very hard and few bands rarely pull it off. In this writer opinion Jeff Wayne's 'War of the World's' should be the template but whatever, on we go!

'The Fields of Trauma' is a great album. Like a big thick book it takes a bit of time and effort but the depth of the album starts to reveal itself it's effort well rewarded. It's big and broad in sound I won't say epic but that's where it's going. Think Iron Maiden at their most adventurous, The melody and soaring chorus of Queensryche. There are a few parts that delve in to Death Metal territory.

They're not a million miles away from Savatage. There are intricate structures also and the musical skill on display is immense but the band avoid falling into the Dream Theater trap with five minutes keyboard solo's and the like for the sheer sake of it. Tracks like 'A Rural Trauma' and 'Freeze Me' really give the atmosphere of an isolated frozen landscape. All in all it's obvious the band have made a massive effort. If you want an album that you can get lost in. Spend time with and give yourself a bit of a challenge then look no further. It's worth it!

Review by Joe Denby