Ripping out of Gatineau, Canada, FRACTURES AND OUTLINES are a Post Hardcore band with influences ranging from SILVERSTEIN, NO USE FOR A NAME, and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. The band came together in 2014 and work tirelessly planting their feet in the local underground music scene. Today the lineup consists of Nick(vocals), Mathieu Frechette (drums/vocals), Eric Desormeaux (guitar/vocals), Maxime Rondeau (guitar), and Maurice Emond Jr. (bass). Intrepidly, they created their first EP "Checkmate," in 2017, which was met with solid acclaim from various publications. Working to further develop a sound that is their own, they hit the studio in 2018 to start work on their 10 track full length "Defenseless," which is available now. Let's give it a listen.

I am already close to half-way through the album when I flip back to the second track, "Echos".  The song gives a small build up before the music seems to get more energetic. The music itself is almost like a huge breakdown, but that isn't bad. The vocals have me thinking UNDEROATH/THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, which isn't a bad mix at all. You can definitely feel a heavy SILVERSTEIN influence in the music itself. I hop back to "Mirrors" which has the pretty cool intro with drum rolls and catchy guitar riffs. I am digging it though. It reminds me of a time when I listened to this style of music because my roommate listened to stuff like this. It could have been worse; he could have loved country. The song is a listener, even though it still has a lot of influence buried in it.

"Over My Head" opens the second half of "Defenseless" and it gives a more melodic sound to the band. The build-up is a punk sound, but as the music comes to its climax, those heavily influences wrap the band's sound once again. The break-down is pretty cool though. "Swallowing Teeth" is nearing the end of the album. The song begins with an electronic aura as acoustic screams fill the air. After the unique beginning, the force of the band picks up a lot of heavy sounds. The Djent guitars bring us into a musical armada. The chorus jerks me in another direction, but I enjoy the transition. The band have found a unique sound in this one.

I end with the acoustic version of "Defenseless" and this one captures a deeper side of the band. The intro almost had me thinking NIRVANA had risen from the dead but the vocals are so very far from Kurt Cobain. The voice is soft and calming in the darkness of the lyrics. The acoustic guitars are as soothing as a glass of whiskey on ice.  I always enjoy hearing different sides of a song. Some are only one-sided, but it takes special musicians to really hear two. The band truly made a mark with this one.

FRACTURES & OUTLINES are very talented band. Their music ability is put out as if it were a parade from album start to album finish. Their sound may not be everyone's musical taste, but if you love acoustic music, you should at least give "Defenseless" a listen. Who knows, you may enjoy it and give the rest of the album a listen.