Pyroclast – ‘Fractured State’

(Furious Music)

There are certain albums that immediately make you want to dig out the denim jacket, dust off the old battle vest, tighten the bullet belt and crank the stereo up to eleven. Pyroclast’s Fractured State is most definitely one of those albums. This is traditional heavy metal in all its glorious, riff-driven, leather-and-denim splendour, delivering a wonderfully authentic Eighties-inspired sound while still feeling like a modern band rather than some hollow exercise in nostalgia.

Hailing from Glasgow, Pyroclast have clearly done their homework when it comes to classic heavy metal, but importantly they have also understood what made that music so damn exciting in the first place. This is music built around powerful riffs, harmonised guitars, pounding drums, memorable melodies and choruses that practically demand to be bellowed along with. There is plenty here to put a big stupid grin on the face of anyone who grew up worshipping the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and the other titans of the traditional metal scene.

What really impressed me about Fractured State however, is that Pyroclast aren't simply recreating the past. There is a definite NWOBHM foundation running through the album, but they add elements of power metal and a slightly heavier modern edge to the formula. The result is an album that feels rooted firmly in the glorious Eighties while possessing enough muscle and contemporary production to prevent it sounding like a museum piece.

And then there are those guitars. Oh, those guitars!

Baz Fitzsimmons and Chris Horne’s twin-guitar approach is absolutely central to the Pyroclast sound, with the band making excellent use of harmonised leads, muscular rhythm work and soaring melodic passages. There is a real sense of old-school metal craftsmanship here. The riffs aren't overly complicated for the sake of showing off; instead, they are designed to stick in your head, drive the songs forward and make you want to bang your head until your neck hurts.

The rhythm section deserves plenty of credit too. Jack Davenport’s drums have that satisfying combination of power and precision, while Liam Barrie’s bass provides a solid foundation underneath the guitars. Everything feels tight without becoming sterile. There is energy coursing through this album, and that energy is one of its greatest strengths.

But if there is one element that really helps Pyroclast stand out from a crowded modern Trad Metal scene, it is the vocals.

Mark Reid delivers a genuinely strong and powerful performance throughout Fractured State. This isn't the sort of vocal style that simply sits on top of the music; it becomes an integral part of the band's identity. There is authority, range and a real sense of conviction in the delivery, with Reid possessing the sort of voice that sounds completely at home fronting a traditional heavy metal band.

His vocals are particularly important because this style of music depends so heavily on commanding performances. You can have all the killer riffs and twin-guitar harmonies in the world, but without a vocalist capable of matching that musical firepower, the whole thing can fall flat. Thankfully, that isn't remotely an issue here. Reid has the power to carry the bigger moments while retaining enough melody to make the choruses memorable.

Lyrically, Fractured State also has more going on beneath the surface than your average collection of leather-clad metal clichés. The album explores themes of struggle, control, destruction, mythology, history and human frailty, giving the music a darker and more cinematic edge. That sense of storytelling adds another dimension to what is already an impressively muscular collection of traditional metal.

There is also a welcome sense of dynamics throughout the record. Pyroclast understand that a good heavy metal album needs more than just relentless speed and volume. There are moments where the band allow the atmosphere to build before unleashing the full force of the guitars, and those contrasts make the heavier sections hit considerably harder.

At around 44 minutes, Fractured State also gets the running time just about right. There is enough material here to make it feel like a substantial album without overstaying its welcome. It is the kind of record that finishes and leaves you thinking, Yep, I'll have that again.

And that, ultimately, is what I like most about Pyroclast. There is absolutely no pretence here. This is a band who clearly love traditional heavy metal and have taken those classic ingredients and forged them into something of their own.

The result is melodic, powerful, energetic and packed with the sort of riffs and vocal performances that make this genre so bloody addictive.

If you're the sort of metal fan who still gets excited when the guitars start harmonising, who believes that a great chorus should be shouted rather than politely sung, and who thinks denim, patches and bullet belts are perfectly acceptable everyday attire, then Fractured State is going to be right up your street.

Pyroclast have delivered a high-quality slice of Eighties-inspired traditional heavy metal that wears its influences proudly without becoming trapped by them. This is old-school metal with a modern punch, and one of those albums that reminds you that the spirit of the NWOBHM is still alive and kicking.

Iron Maiden fans, get your denim ready.

‘Pyroclast’, the album opens with the perfect statement of intent. A proper traditional metal introduction packed with crunchy riffs, driving rhythms and those unmistakable NWOBHM-inspired guitar harmonies. The vocals immediately make their presence felt, with plenty of power and authority. It sets the Eighties atmosphere beautifully and wastes absolutely no time getting the head banging.

‘Slaughterhouse’, things get heavier and nastier here, with a wonderfully aggressive riff carrying the song forward. There is a darker edge to the proceedings, but melody remains firmly at the heart of the composition. The guitars sound fantastic, while the vocals continue to provide plenty of muscle. Classic heavy metal with a healthy dose of attitude.

‘Break The Tide’, a superbly melodic slice of traditional metal. This is where Pyroclast really demonstrate their ability to balance power and melody, with strong guitar work and a chorus that is tailor-made for a live audience. There is a real sense of momentum throughout, making this one of those songs that practically demands to be played loud.

‘Prisoner Game’, a darker and more dramatic affair, this one has a particularly strong old-school metal feel. The riffing is muscular without becoming unnecessarily complicated, while the vocals add plenty of intensity. There is a real sense of menace lurking underneath the melody, creating a great contrast between the heavier sections and the more melodic passages.

‘Brought By A Flame’, the Eighties influences are particularly strong here, with some excellent guitar melodies and a wonderfully anthemic feel. This is classic Trad Metal songwriting at its best: memorable, powerful and immediately accessible. The vocal performance is again a highlight, bringing plenty of passion and conviction to the proceedings.

‘Beneath The Beyond’, a slightly more atmospheric number that gives the album another dimension. The guitars are once again superb, but it is the sense of drama that really catches the ear. There is a cinematic quality running through the arrangement, while the powerful vocals ensure that the song never loses its heavy metal identity.

‘Ozymandias’, now this is proper headbanging territory! A big, muscular metal number with some excellent riff work and plenty of attitude. The guitars have that classic Maiden-era flavour without simply sounding like a carbon copy, while the commanding vocals give the whole thing plenty of weight. A real treat for traditional metal fans.

‘Erebus And Terror’, the album closes in suitably epic fashion. Dark, powerful and packed with atmosphere, this is a fitting finale to an excellent collection of traditional heavy metal. The guitars soar, the rhythm section pounds away and the vocals rise above everything with considerable authority. A wonderfully dramatic ending that leaves you reaching for the replay button.

If you still believe heavy metal should be loud, proud and played with plenty of attitude, then Pyroclast’s Fractured State deserves a place in your collection. This is classic Trad Metal with a glorious Eighties/NWOBHM heartbeat, packed with crunchy riffs, soaring guitar melodies, pounding drums and, most importantly, some seriously powerful vocals. Pyroclast may wear their influences proudly, but they have enough character and songwriting quality to avoid simply becoming another nostalgia act. There is genuine fire running through this album, and it captures that wonderful feeling of discovering a new band that understands exactly why traditional heavy metal is so bloody brilliant. Iron Maiden fans should be grinning from ear to ear!

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Slaughterhouse’

Review by Woody