Devoted death metal fans have long known Quebec as a bubbling cauldron of awesome progressive death metal bands. Starting with
Voivod and
Gorguts in the late '80s and early '90s, and really booming during the latter decade and the 2000s with
Cryptopsy,
Neuraxis,
Unexpect, Martyr,
Beneath the Massacre, et al., the region has produced a staggering number of bands of this type. Well, add
Augury to that impressive roster. These guys (formerly guys and girl, though vocalist Arianne Fleury departed between 2004's Concealed and this release) make up one of the most astonishing prog-death bands on the planet, and
Fragmentary Evidence is one of the best metal albums of 2009. The songs have an epic sweep, with brilliant instrumental performances from all, particularly the guitarist and bassist, the latter of whom is placed quite prominently in the mix, popping the strings (don't worry, we're talking
Stanley Clarke, not
the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and acting as a co-lead voice. Speaking of multiple voices, there are guest vocalists all over this thing, including members of
Aborted,
Unexpect, and
Cryptopsy, among others. The compositions -- a far better word than "songs," in this case -- shift frequently from mechanistic brutality to spacy psychedelic fusion and melodic interludes, as reminiscent of
Opeth as of harder-edged tech bands like
Obscura and
Neuraxis. But
Fragmentary Evidence is never a mere showcase for instrumental chops. The music remains compelling throughout. A must for any fan of progressive/technical metal. ~ Phil Freeman