Man, not only has death metal seen some excellent , label released goodness in 2009 (Augury, Gorod, Obscura, Ulcerate, Man Must Die, Nile, As You Drown, The Red Shore to name just a few), along come bands like Cephalectomy, Avicularia, Unconventional Disruption, Burial Ritual, Zealotry and Quebec’s Vengeful to self release some death metal awesomeness on the year.
Inexplicably unsigned after 2007s impressive debut, Karma (released on Disconcert Music no less), Vengeful ply a top notch form of technical, brutal death metal that culls from their innate Canadian influences (Gorguts and Cryptopsy in particular), which isn’t surprising considering former and current members have ties to the likes of Atheretic, Augury and Neuraxis, though there’s a bit of experimentation thrown in here and there. And though there’s been a bit of a lineup shuffle since Karma, the result is still as devastating.
With Vengeful I’m reminded of country mates Paroxysm; super awesome death metal from Canada that just doesn’t get enough attention amid the big boys. And your attention shall be gotten as opener “Forsaken” sets the mood with the perfect opening tempo and foreboding lurch reminiscent of Behemoth, then they unleash a typically Canadian vortex of blasting, growling and complex but hefty time changes that matches anything from their peers in intensity and skill.
“Beholder” is a short savage stab before the heaving “Anguish” and Detention” shows the band more restrained side with some menacing background acoustics and killer, slower drumming sections from Etienne Gallo (Augury, Negativa) that reminded me of Vore. “Lapsus” is an intelligent slow burner with multiple layers and a military mid song march to die for before “Nightmare” and “Sanctioned” bring the high octane fury once again. All of it perfectly produced and
Luc Lemay of Gorguts provides some extra vocal lunch for the 21 minute closer “Transcending”, a simply epic display of death metal that not much in 2009 will match as far as sheer blistering scope, variety and depth for that kinds of duration. Full of artfully crafted sonic peaks an valleys, the track is truly one of 2009s death metal highlights and cements The Omnipresent Curse as one of 2009s hidden gems and a CD all death metal fans should check out. Unsigned you say?
WTF?
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This is excellent! The songs on their myspace possess a brooding atmosphere that’s missing from most brutal tech death. I’ll be picking this up for sure.
on Nov 19th, 2009 at 09:45Yeah this album slays…. good review. If you like this also check out Sanctification – Black Reign… It was reviewed on here and another very solid death metal record.
on Nov 19th, 2009 at 16:43This is a fucking great DM album. It is full of atmosphere and nice mid-paced songs Maybe the tech-death label isn’t quite right. Thanks for the review.
on Nov 19th, 2009 at 16:44