Fabulae Dramatis - 2024 - Violenta

(37:05; Fabulae Dramatis)

Track list:
1. Fabula Violenta 4:03
2. The Jungle of Ego 4:26
3. The City (Translucent) 6:04
4. Lead Astray / Indigo 5:03
5. River of Despair 4:11
6. Pawn Out of Board 4:27
7. The Illusionary Spyglass 5:43
8. Maquina de Suenos 3:08

Line-up:
Isabel Restrepo - vocals
Daniel Diaz - guitars
Ted Dimitrov - drums
Marco Felix - bass
with:
Kris Depuydt - bass


Prolusion.
Belgian band Fabulae Dramatic can trace their history back to 2011, albeit with few members remaining of the original line-up of the band as of 2024. They released their debut album "Om" back in 2012, and in 2017 they released their second studio production "Solar Time's Fables". Following a long gestation period that included settling in with new band members, the band self-released their third album "Violenta" in the fall of 2024.

Analysis.
This is a band described as being avant-garde metal and progressive metal at the esteemed website metal archives. For my sake I'd say that there aren't too many traces of the former on this latest album of theirs, and as far as progressive metal is concerned this is more of an album with some progressive elements present rather than a creation I'd suggest being a purebred example of this form. While this is a production with progressive tendencies to the music, this is probably not the album for those with a die hard taste for progressive metal in the conventional meaning of that phrase.

We do get songs that ebb and flow quite a bit though, and songs with a more distinct difference between the various phases, where light toned and elegant passages alternate with more heavy set, powerful and intense excursions. We also get a fair number of instances of compositions with more subtle differences between the various phases of the songs in terms of tempo and intensity first and foremost.

A more defining aspect of this album as a whole is the use of circulating and fluctuating guitar riff patterns though, explored and executed with thrash metal tendencies as well as with a bit of a grunge tinge to them, alongside passages that probably are closer to a more traditional heavy metal sound and expression. A powerful and energetic one as far as the latter goes, and an invigorating energy is a factor that runs through this album as a whole.

The vocals are distinctly impressive throughout, and is perhaps the one element that will stick in the minds of the listeners on initial inspection. Lead vocalist Isabel has a fantastic voice, powerful, melodic and very much emotional, and her contributions elevates all the songs due to that mix and balance between control, restraint, power and emotional delivery. The contrast between her voice and the deep set, growl vocals creates a natural tension that is most pleasing and rewarding too, and the presence of these growls also makes the vocals of Isabel come across as even more striking and impressive.

Tribal inspired and world music elements are recurring on this album, albeit mainly given a bit of restricted presence as for instance in the opening sequence of a song. While perhaps a minor presence, those details still manage to add a little bit of an extra flavor to this album, with some of these details giving me ever so slight associations towards the brilliant New Zealand band Alien Weaponry. Even if I suspect that Alien Weaponry does explore a somewhat different cultural tangent than what Fabulae Dramatis does. The folk elements are brought to the fore on the concluding song of this production, with the mainly acoustic 'Maquina de Suenos'. A song that makes me think of Latin music, South American folk music, flamenco and jazz all at once. Presumably with the strongest ties to the Latin folk music tradition in general and South American folk music in particular.

Conclusion.
While I don't really see "Violenta" as a progressive metal album as such, it is a creation made with a progressive spirit and with the inclusion of progressive elements. Even if mainly in more of a subtle manner. It is a most solid metal album however, with a good few brilliant songs that should manage to intrigue a broad set of listeners across the metal spectrum. If energetic and powerful metal that makes use of brilliant lead vocals and circulating groove patterns in the riff and rhythm department sounds like your kind of music, and you appreciate some progressive tendencies thrown into that mix, then this is an album that should give you a lot to enjoy.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, January 2025

Links:
https://www.fabulaedramatis.com/