(Melodic Death Metal) Fragments of Unbecoming - The Art Of Coming Apart - 2012, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Melodic Death-Metallers FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING have released their new piece of work off iconic, record company Cyclone Empire with the American signature of Metal Blade Records, successfully continuing the legacy of the company that started the careers of metal’s most adored acts.
Title track “The Art Of Coming Apart” begins with a folksy intro that skilfully descended into a bout of chaotic guitars and drums. Perhaps it’s just their old school influences kicking in, but I believe the band continued beautifully the tradition of acoustic openings followed by heavy riffing earlier propagated by thrash giants METALLICA and DEATH ANGEL with “Fight Fire With Fire” and “Thrown To The Wolves” respectively. I couldn’t help but feel the band shared a wavelength with AMON AMARTH, who has now become metal giants with their popular work.
“Barren And Bleak” came next and it was in this track that drummer Ingo Maier’s amazing talent was propelled to the spotlight. Furthermore, the guitars reminded me of DARK ANGEL, DESTRUCTION and KREATOR and yes, I am aware that those are all thrash bands, but it only goes to show the diversity in the band’s range.
“Four Winters” began and I started to worry about the similarities the band’s sound had with AMON AMARTH, who were already popular beyond words. I mean, if you name a song “Four Winters”, explicitly referring to the weather in the song title, you clearly have a Folk / Viking Metal edge. Perhaps I was worried that the band was trying to compete with AMON AMARTH, a scenario which would most probably result in a string of albums repeating the same thing over and over again, but I reminded myself that this band is filled to the brim with real talent, and that if there was a fight, it’d be a fight worth watching.
Vocalist Sam Anetzberger demonstrated his prowess throughout the album. He is clearly very talented and has amazing stamina – a combination that proves to be fruitful as the band thunders away relentlessly at each song.
“Hours Of Suffering” brought on a nice dose of change with its slower intro, and on a whim, I imagined that it would very much sound like a SODOM song slowed down three times. I know, I keep drawing comparisons between the bands and Thrash artists, and perhaps that’s the catch with melodic Death Metal. It’s Death Metal, but it’s easier on the ears carries with it some influences from Thrash, making it a truly far-reaching genre.
It was then that I realized that the slower speed was what really gave the songs that extra kick and a more menacing, unbecoming feel. “Hours Of Suffering” did thunder into the realm of speed after the slow intro, but boy was it good while it lasted.
The production quality of the album is near excellent, especially where the drums are concerned. I didn’t hear very many solos throughout the album, but I didn’t notice that until the fifth song – proof that the band knows exactly what they want, what they are doing, and how to do it.
There are two standout tracks in this album. “A Silence Dressed In Black” managed to remind me of 30 SECONDS TO MARS (of all bands), IRON MAIDEN, and MARILYN MANSON at the same time. The band also switched it up by making the verse more chaotic and the chorus more melancholic, producing a profound effect.
The other track, “Sundown”, is simply put: a truly beautiful piece. That being said, it’s not exactly difficult to imagine a band named FRAGMENTS OF UNBECOMING possessing a romantic side, which was what the track felt like to me. It truly is an anthem for Metalheads to cry to in their SLAYER t-shirts.
The band’s talent lies with their slower songs, despite having a drummer that flat out kicks ass. It should still be elaborated however that both the album and the band reeks of potential, and perhaps if they gauge all their strengths effectively, they could become melodic Death Metal’s next big thing.

Sam Anetzberger Vocals
Sascha Ehrich Guitars
Christopher Körtgen Bass
Stefan Weimar Guitars
Ingo Maier Drums