Augury - Fragmentary Evidence (2009)

Augury is one of Canada's finest death metal exports, with a progressive leaning far more adventurous than countrymen Cryptosy or Neuraxis. Fragmentary Evidence is a beast of a sophomore slab, with a technicality that will instantly impress, but more importantly: a depth of creativity which can please the appetite well beyond a few listens. The material is varied and engaging, the musical proficiency so precisely tuned that it fades right into the album's immense tapestry of sound. The songs can become so mesmerizing that you forget just how talented each of the musicians is at his respective instrument.

"Aetheral" is a stormblasting death metal shell surrounding the delicate and catlike grace of Dominic Lapointe's bass playing. Some of the aggressive riffing (i.e. the 2:50 mark in the song) will leave you scratching your head, though all is flowing and functional destruction. "Simian Cattle" opens with more of the playful bass, buried in a barrage of shifting chords and exotic rhythms. Again, there is a dazzling complexity overshadowed by the sonic imagery being produced. "Orphans of Living" storms forth like an outtake from a Theory in Practice album, only more accessible and rounded. The acoustic bridges in this song are excellent, Patrick Loisel's vocals a blunt meatwagon of disgust offset by rapacious snarls. "Jupiter to Ignite" is an 8+ minute epic of wandering, cyclical progressive licks which serves to showcase the full range of this band's talents. Though they differ in their overall sound, there are moments certain to impress fans of the recent Cynic material, a subtle and psychedelic fusion. In truth, the latter half of Fragmentary Evidence is even more impressive, with highly memorable hooks in "Skyless" and "Faith Puppets". The lyrics are interesting, elegaic and poetic, a rarity in a technical death release.

We will ascend to the heights
Setting other bodies in the sky
In hope to there sow our life
From created to creators
In the image of God, makers of worlds
An infinity of Babel Towers to defy Him
Free of morals and gravity, wandering
Higher, living lavishly the life of a god

The album sounds quite ominous and crystalline, leads winding through the carefully plotted, percussive riffing. The vocals are loud and center without ever offsetting the endless onslaught of riffs, and the breaks into bass or acoustics never seem forced or misplaced. There may be one or two tracks that drag slightly behind the remainder of the album in terms of catchiness or complexity. Regardless, Fragmentary Evidence is pretty damn tight. If you're a fan of bands like Cynic, Atheist, Lykathea Aflame, or Neuraxis, don't hesitate to track it down. You won't be sorry.

Verdict: Win [8.5/10] (shocked before the horizon and its convexity)

http://www.augurymetal.com/