French Prog Metal band Fractal Universe are set to release their fourth album on April 4th entitled The Great Filters. The band’s vocalist/guitarist Vince Wilguin spoke with Metal Express Radio about their upcoming album, their upcoming North American tour with Obscura, working with Christian Andreu of Gojira, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: Your band, Fractal Universe, are set to release their fourth studio album entitled The Great Filters on April 4th, what can you tell fans about the upcoming release?
Wilguin: The Great Filters is definitely our most diverse album to date. Overall, I’d say it’s a fair bit brighter and proggier than our previous works, while still preserving our extreme metal roots. There’s also more saxophone on it, as I had a bit more experience with the instrument this time around!
MER: How was the writing and recording process having this being your band’s fourth album?
Wilguin: The process was overall the same as on our previous works. It started with some pre-productions that I sent over to my bandmates alongside Guitar Pro files. From there, we tweaked some details and reworked some song structures during listening sessions and rehearsals, and I started to add some lyrics on top of that. As for the recording process, we tracked drums in Clément’s own studio, Boundless Production Studio, the rest of the instruments were recorded at home and the album was, once more, mixed by Flavien Morel.
MER: You’ve released two songs from the album, do you feel these two songs represent the album well?
Wilguin: Yes and no! We definitely felt like these were the songs we wanted to highlight and release first. That being said, the album has a lot more to offer, and I encourage people to take the time and check it out in its entirety.
MER: Later this year, you’ll be touring North America with Obscura, Atheist, and Decrepit Birth, what are your expectations on the upcoming tour?
Wilguin: We honestly can’t wait! It’s always been one of the band’s goals to tour North America, and we know that we have a lot of fans there waiting for us. This is where our biggest audience lies, despite never having played there. And after the warm welcome we received on the 70K Tons 2 years ago, we can’t wait to be back overseas.
MER: What do you see as plans for you and your band after the tour with Obscura?
Wilguin: We have some shows scheduled in Europe throughout the year. Then we’ll be looking for more touring opportunities on this album cycle, including a full European run.
MER: While you were touring for your last record, you worked with Christian Andreu of Gojira for your band’s stage production, how was it working with him, and do you see yourselves continuing to work together?
Wilguin: It was a great experience, and we really benefited from his knowledge and decade-long experience. Besides, we were struck by how humble he was, considering all that he’s achieved! As for working together in the future, when we did, it was during COVID times, so his schedule was a lot lighter, but who knows! We keep in touch though and meet from time to time!
MER: How has it been incorporating a saxophone into your live show?
Wilguin: It’s a lot of fun and it’s definitely a crowd pleaser! It’s always something the audience loves and remembers. I’m often asked if the instruments switch isn’t too tricky, but honestly, once you get used to it, it flows really well!
MER: How would you describe the Metal scene in France?
Wilguin: There are a lot of amazing bands here, such as Gorod, Hypno5e or Kadinja, to name only a few. And I think the mainstream success of Gojira and Hellfest has given some credibility to the scene both in France and internationally. The crowd is usually very warm and loud here, and during EU tours, French shows are often among the favorites.
MER: Is there anywhere you hope to play live you haven’t yet and why?
Wilguin: I’d love to play on other continents. We’ve heard a lot of stories about how wild the fans are in South America, and I’d personally love to visit New Zealand and Australia.
MER: Is there anyone you hope to tour with and why?
Wilguin: Honestly, our upcoming US run is already a dream come true in terms of line-up! Besides, it would be great for us to tour with bands such as Fallujah, Beyond Creation, or Caligula’s Horse, as I feel like it would make a good package for fans.
MER: Out of your band’s three albums, what is one you would suggest to a new fan and why?
Wilguin: Maybe Rhizomes of Insanity if you’re quite new to the genre, as it is perhaps the most accessible of the three. But if you’re already a Prog Death fan, then The Impassable Horizon might be the better choice!
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