For some reason - likely that I was born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada - every time I think of Montreal's AUGURY, I immediately think of farming. And, lo and behold, there is song title on "Fragmentary Evidence", AUGURY's second album and first for heavyweight label Nuclear Blast, that has to do with cows. Excellent.

Bands that hail from Montreal, Canada's version of Gothenburg, all have a sound that is distinct to that area of the country and also the world at large. When listening, one just knows that a band hails from the land of poutine and language laws. Whether it be countrymen GORGUTS or VOIVOD, the sound of a Montreal Metal band is unmistakable; so too with AUGURY. These men have set forth to harvest the heaviest of Metal, the soupiest of Prog. In fact, some of the off kilter time switches evoke thoughts of MASTODON at their heaviest. The nimble musical thoughts of bassist Dominic "Forest" Lapointe are all over this thing like white on rice. The man very simply puts on a clinic. Just take a good hard listen to track five, "Sovereigns Unknown", to get a good feeling as to the dexterity that AUGURY possess. It really is beautiful to listen to.

Hopefully AUGURY continue to grow as musicians, because being this good on your second album and sounding this vital is a gift that ought to be treasured. There must be something in the water in Montreal. AUGURY stands tall as one of the best Technical Melodic Death Metal bands currently bending minds and strings.