Synth EP Review: “Silence Time” by Fraver

by Karl Magi

Fraver’s “Silence Time” summons the spirit of EP’s hero as he embarks on the next phase of his long journey across the galaxy. A plethora of synth tones mixes with composition that is melodic and evocative to assist the listener on a voyage into deep space.

“Cruiser” extends out into the fields of endless stars in long chords, spreading out toward infinite horizons as it grows in size and power before bass like the rumble of deep space signals moves underneath. Rattling and echoing out into vastness, the synth briefly chimes while the flowing tones spread around my ears to evoke the great mystery of outer space.

Progress and adventure fill the trumpeting tones that ring with a hint of threat hidden within. A mixture of haunting sounds create vague unease that contributes to the sensation of moving out into places full of potential danger. I can feel myself transported along with the hero of this album, carried out into the galaxy. A technological sounding synth vibrates and expands with a melody that is tinged with wistful emotion and impressions of lonely journeys.

A relentlessly rushing low end supports tones that drift in an anti-gravity float, moving endlessly through the vacuum. A harsh, unyielding segment unfolds to generate growing gloom, ready to confront our hero as he moves forward on his quest. Triumph and danger mingle before a xylophone contributes glistening radiance, calling to mind distant nebulae passing off the side of the spaceship.

A massive, heaving beat growls as “Infinity” slices into life, mingled with gleaming sounds that trace in the distance while the shadowy heaviness underneath creates a pervasive sense of portentous power. Lacerating notes cut with brilliance above the steady, giant drums and bass.

A melody which mixes gentleness and challenge floats while the beat shapes the track. Delicate luminosity emanates from the high synth while the forward motion of the underpinnings presses onward. Breathy notes flicker from an area instrument which creates feelings of opening vistas. Sounds which evoke technological systems move through as the heaving under layer pushes everything onward.

A melody which levitates like a spaceship moving through the boundless reaches of our universe creates contrast with dense notes that capture me in their net. The relentless beat calls to mind the infinite possibilities of galaxies and planets in our seemingly limitless universe.

“Silence Time” slowly slips into life as distant tones hover like planets off the starship’s bow while a heavy beat hammers with machine gun stuttering before extended chords support the vibrating higher notes and the drums grow more even. Undulating tones create a staccato counterpoint to string-like synth unfolding with serenity and an element of hurting memory.

Rippling notes transmit the main character’s reminiscence In a tender emotional moment. Thoughtfulness spreads out toward me and draws me into a mood of introspection, evoked by the atmosphere of the music. Golden notes create illumination as shivering tones slowly reverberate and peaceful thought is again broken by stutter stepping drum beats.

The continual oscillation of the low end is reestablished with shifting chords, slightly uncertain above. The main melody carries out with dreamy meditation and more than a hint of sadness before the hollow synth notes evoke technological advancement. The track ends with the memorable melody drifting out into tragic silence.

Enigmatic fragility moves outward as “Awakening” exhales with slow elegance, interrupted by flickers of sound before a beat with dynamic force joins a bending synth rushing past with dramatic life. The theme evokes excitement and growing action as it rises above the rubber band twanging, painting starscapes coming into view for the main character.

The underlayer charges while the higher notes are like a warp drive erupting into life. Computerized notes ring as chords with luscious depth and surrounding warmth rise, drawing pictures in my mind of a console coming to life at the touch of its operator's hand.

A theme full of thrilling energy and potential danger spills out above hollow, actively moving tones and hard hitting percussion. The sparkling main melody sings with invigorating liveliness and creates feelings of increasing potential and the opening of new horizons before the track comes to an end.

“Signals” trembles with slightly distorted notes that seem to emerge from a faraway place and spread deep, contemplative emotion, supported by a hugely towering beat. Notes like metallic light glisten and climb, generating sensations of triumph mingled with tragic undertones and cascading notes that have a shadowy, technical feeling. I find the theme somewhat unsettling despite the shining brilliance of the notes.

Distorted, nasal sounds shift as hollow notes breathe with spectral energy. An anti-gravity drift calls to mind endlessly moving through outer space before the crushing synth creates a dramatic wall of sound, calling to mind both threat and potential, reaching for the stars as the pulse goes on. As the music draws to a close, the beat subdivides and the massive synth fades into quiet.

Bass like a black hole dominates the low end while “Spaceship - Vapor” roams off into the void with a tune that conjures painful memories tracing through the heavy blackness that hangs underneath. Clean drums march in as a melodic line gleams like the hull of our hero’s spacecraft caught in the light of an alien sun.

The piano line calls up a feeling of forever unmoored in vast darkness while the bass drops and a theme of heroic strength rings out before the beats and bass resume. An emotional invocation of the lonely man on an impossible journey is touching to me as it moves through the composition.

Wrapping rhythms support the free-flowing melody as the kick drum throbs and the piano is a still, peaceful centre in the midst of the underlying weight. The motif that winds through the track is full of aching sensations and brings the track to a finish.