Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Fractal Edge are the latest ministry band launched by YFC and on this debut album the band comprise of singer Philippa Berry and guitarist Ben Holloway. It was produced with the usual input from Jon Birch and Jonny Baker and this time round producer Birch has constructed an edgy dance sound that pounds the listener into submission! On top of this, Ben Holloway"s guitar adds a fresh texture, a new dimension and attack. Standouts for me are "Ozymandius" with its furious kicking pace and fun use of samples, and "Here I Am" which has an immediate dance pop hookiness and some brilliant guitar from Ben all of which deserves wider exposure. 'Tearing Down The Walls" had the ingenious device of naming many people whose lives changed things, all set over an explosive jungly beat. The album is subtitled 'Songs Of Alienation, Longing And Hope' so lyrically this is designed to be thought provoking stuff for YFC's target audience. Strong musically, I can imagine that when the tracks are pumped out loud and proud over a club sound system, the impact will be huge. Sadly the one weak link in the chain, like other Birch/Baker collaborations, is vocally. Berry's voice sometimes seems a little swamped with really the strength of the music demands that she should be out there grabbing our attention. Shame really because this could be close to brilliant.

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