Hey there tech fiends, it's that time of the week again. Before we dive into today's focus, here's the usual weekly reminder that if you're looking for even more sick bands, all prior editions of this series can be perused here.
As has happened many times here, we return to the god-like tech-death scene to the North of the United States, once again focusing on one of the most prolific death metal epicenters of the world, Montréal, Québec inside of Canada. It was truly amazing to get to spend some time there last year on two extended visits. We could go on at length regarding all the world-renowned groups who've proven influential into the present from that area alone.
But, as usual, it always feels equally interesting to discuss newer bands and those rising up in the ranks who also have a lot to offer. Well steeped in a strong death metal culture, yet seeking to carve out their own path, newcomers Ignominy are exactly the sort of act I strive to highlight here in this column. We've got the early stream of their first release, a world-destroying EP entitled, Fear The Living, ahead of its official release this Friday, April 12th. You can scroll down and hit play below on the early full stream now, 0r, as usual, read on for more about the band and the release first if you so wish.
I first heard about Ignominy thanks to their guitarist and lead composer Philippe Gariépy, who also recorded the bass guitar playing on this release (with help from their former bassist Xavier Sperdouklis who helped write a lot of the basslines prior to leaving the band) along with him handling backing vocals. We have been trading communications online for years, and, while I missed out on meeting him when in Montréal, I was seriously blown away by the late-2017 pre-production aired version of Ignominy – "Path" enough to stay signed up to help when the time came in the present. Now that the time for the full release of Fear The Living is here, goddamn, this doesn't disappoint at all. Beyond the inventive guitar and bass guitar playing, the release sports some truly ferocious and memorable drumming and powerful angry vocals as well.
If you're new to the band, imagine a chaotic and seriously deranged mix between Hate Eternal and Gorguts with some early-period Ion Dissonance and Ulcerate influences. With some bits of Deathspell Omega and Meshuggah influence at times further widening their sonic palette and overall scope sound wise. The band’s Facebook cites their Band Interests as being: "Dissonance. Groove. Texture. Atmosphere." While that is open to interpretation as to what it means specifically, I think you'll find it quite accurately explains the total experience of what Fear The Living has to share with the world once you check it out.
Furthermore, they list their band influences in direct non-pretentious terms as “Dissonance Worship” which is pretty fucking accurate though this band is not a clone of any one act for damn sure, even among those they cite or could be compared to partially. Really, the only band that comes to mind for me comparison wise is Nightmarer. So, if you like them, you’re all but certain to love this.
Fear The Living is a nasty and extremely pissed off dissonant heavy technical death metal experience. Certainly not run of the mill quality material either, especially for bands of this ilk. This is absolutely a start-to-finish high-quality effort that is really damn good and varied. As usual, you are the judge as to its merits after clicking play below on our early stream of Ignominy – Fear The Living. If you’re enjoying what you hear, the release can be ordered through the Ignominy Bandcamp Page quite soon if it's not up now. You can follow the group over on the Ignominy Facebook Page.
