By Jane McDonald
Three emcees, all with different sounds and looks, make up PterrorFractyl at Head Room Sessions #40 - although the act is technically listed as a duo who frequently co-produce with others. Frontman DanaRael provides lyrical flows, while Absenz and Jewkes produce and provide back up.
Photo by KT Langley Photography
Rocking a monogrammed The North Face windbreaker DanaRael introduces the first track Waiting, which he describes as “a song about anxiety - I know everyone can feel a bit of that.” Indeed most identify with the spinning sensation anxiety creates, so perhaps that is why the cyclical structure of this atmospheric groove feels familiar to us all? It certainly does to me.
“I’m waiting for something that never comes and so I run.”
Moving away from the starkness of their first track, Pomegranate/Produce features flows from all three emcees. An ethereal female voice effectively juxtaposes the grittier moments, keeping their sound oddly serene. Their flows are dynamic and intellectual, speaking to the power that comes from being the master of one’s mind.
PterrorFractyl’s closes with Mudman, examining the relationship between mankind’s innate animal nature and connection to the earth. Offset by his mouthless face mask complete with bunny ears, I completely believe Absenz when he growls “I am not human so I can not bleed,” proving that a simple accessory can amplify ones performance exponentially.
Dealing with topics from mental health to existentialism in the span of three songs, it is clear that PterrorFractyl is a crew with something to say. Look out for this developing act around Denver, they have wisdom to share.