Live Report : First Fragment @ Aarau, Switzerland by artnoir

Via Artnoir (translated) : "Cuckoo, I'm back. The gates to hell? Or the entrance to my home? Somehow both that evening. The line extends to the garage doors. And that on a Sunday evening. Not bad. But not surprising with the lineup. With Obscura (DE), Fallujah (USA), Allegaeon (USA) and First Fragment (CAN) will truly offer a lot. Short time for greetings and a little small talk before you start. Man, this is going to be a superlative tech death evening.

First fragment

The Canadians from First Fragment can open this evening. On the one hand, it is certainly a great honor, but on the other hand it is also a difficult undertaking. The remaining representatives have already left their mark on us.

The latter does not come as a surprise for many others. The 5 gentlemen put a lot of effort into it, hold their flags up and smash a load of technical Death Metal around the ears of the audience. Drummer Nicholas Wells rotates his head with a tightness that is second to none. How does the guy do that without falling off the beat. Impressive! The band has existed since 2007, but it wasn't until 2016 that they launched their debut album “Dasein”. What takes a long time, well ... you know. What is immediately noticeable about singer David AB ... he growls in French !? Then suddenly flamenco-like parts are added. And suddenly the whole thing sounds like old school tech death from the very beginning. Huh ?! Kind of disturbing. And yet I like the mixture very much. In any case, there is great potential in the group for further conquests across Europe and the rest of the world. Applause!

Allegaeon

Also founded in 2007 (seems to be a good vintage), the men from Allegaeon (pronounced: uh-lee-juhn) are already busy around the world.

A moment has passed since the last appearance with Ne Obliviscaris. At the time, I was not particularly impressed. Maybe because I was looking forward to the beetle (Ne Obliviscaris) like a frog. Well then, on a new her stretching.

And it is really going on. I don't remember that. Wow, it grabbed me. And right at the first song. Stylistically, Uh-lee-juhn (Höhö) move between modern melodic death and technical death metal. I really like the combination. I could hardly get anything out of modern melodic death. That seems to change with this concert, however. It has a hand and foot, planks, harmonizes, wraps around, destroys. I am tied up. And then suddenly the cursed time comes as a spoiler. What seemed like an eternity to First Fragment is to Allegaeona blink of an eye. What ?! Finished?! No?! Please do not?! Damn…! OK. I clap with the loud audience. The band is visibly «touched» and thanks them very much.

Fallujah

It continues with the predicate curiosity. Fallujah from San Francisco (Guess the year of foundation ... exactly ... 2007) I have known for a long time. Could already experience it live. The last album «Dreamless» is personally one of the best progressive death metal albums in recent years. The record still enchants me today. A lot has happened since then. With Antonio Palermo you have a new singer on the front who wants to prove himself. Got to? Yes. Because the criticism of the new singles for their next longplayer "Undying Light" is big. And this also affects the singer and his vocal horizon. Too monotonous, too boring. Well then, let's see how the men present themselves.

It starts with an older song from the era of "The Flesh Prevails". This is followed by brand new songs like “Ultraviolet” or hits like “Amber Gaze”. The setlist is very balanced. However ... the spark doesn't want to jump. Like last time, you see a band that is really strong technically. However, they do not manage to put the effects and samples on the floor in the right dosage. The vocals of the new singer? Oh well. They may be suitable for the new songs. The older tracks take a lot of their original energy away. Every now and then it has deeper growls with it, mostly it only wedges and screams. And that really seems a little ... bland. You can understand the criticism. Too bad that was nothing. Nothing for me anyway. I'd rather listen to the record. The audience is still there however, is becoming less and less. Thank you Sunday. One hears a similar conclusion in conversations. Let's see how the whole thing develops.

Obscura

I hardly need to present the technical Death Metal Institution Obscura . The mastermind masters Steffen Kummerer have been showing their craft in Switzerland since 2002. And so far it has always been a very special experience. All the more I am happy to see the guys from Landshut in the KIFF.

With their new album «Deluvium» they left a huge fragrance last year. Today, too, we are witnessing a well-thought-out setlist, peppered with everything that Tech Death's heart desires. At the beginning mist swirls through the hall, the band starts with "Emergent Evolution" and you're caught in the swirl of the swirling guitars. Rafael Trujillo catches your eye early. What a beautiful melody. My Artnoir partner at the camera turns around and shows me her goose bumps. What a start. It continues with songs from the times of «Akroasis» and «Omnivium». Unfortunately, the hall has already emptied noticeably, but those who are still present are showing their full commitment more than ever. The band seems to be comfortable, skilfully jokes and interacts with the audience. In homage to Tryptikon, With “An epiloge to infinity”, Celtic Frost and Samael then have the most “doomed” song in their repertoire. Great. The fog shoots up every minute. The nod is a constant guest, the guitars whir and the bass whirls through the air. A pleasure from start to finish.

After an encore, it's unfortunately over. The whole team bows with thunderous applause and can be duly celebrated. Thanks Obscura, that was strong. And see you soon. No matter where, no matter when. Ps: «Françoise» could not be found even after a long search."

Text: Gianluca Teofani for artnoir.ch

Live Report : First Fragment @ Lyon, France by DailyRock & Noise Injection

Via dailyrock : "Bon, je sais ce que vous allez me dire : « Mais c’est pas possible tu fais que des concerts Sounds Like Hell Productions! » . Bah ouais les gars mais j’y peut rien si elles proposent tout le temps des plateaux de porc! En l’occurrence ce soir ce sera porc Technique et progressif s’il vous plaît! Un tournée de haute qualité qui traverse toute l’Europe, et pour votre serviteur un moyen d’enfin revoir Fallujah, dont les 3 premiers albums m’ont tous laissés sur le cul et dont je n’avais pas recroisé la route depuis 2014 et une tournée avec Dying Fetus. Autant vous dire que j’étais chaud patate, d’autant plus qu’avant la soirée j’ai pu interviewer Scott, la tête pensante du groupe, ainsi qu’Antonio, le nouveau chanteur, tout deux très sympathiques! La soirée commençait donc sous les meilleures auspices!

On débute avec les Québécois de First Fragment, qui dès les premières secondes du show nous montrent qu’ils ne sont pas là pour faire de la figuration : tu veux du Death ultra Technique, t’es servi! Ca Shred très très dur, les musicos s’en donnent a coeur joie, et il n’y a qu’a regarder le matériel pour se rendre compte qu’on est pas là pour faire dans la dentelle : Guitare 8 cordes à ma gauche, Basse 6 cordes à ma droite, c’est ni du doom, ni du punk! Le chanteur et le guitariste invectivent très vite la foule en Français Québécois, j’en viens même a me demander si ils n’en rajoutent pas un peu sachant que le public Français est très friand de cet accent (« Spinnez moi ca hostie de calice Tabernac’! ») .Bref là n’est pas la question. Même si de base la musique de First Fragment n’est pas vraiment dans mes cordes, il faut avouer que leur Death Technique Néo Classique, parfois agrémenté de touches de Flamenco, est rudement efficace en condition live, et on se laisse vite happer par la technicité des 5 garçons de Longueuil. 30 petites minutes et puis s’en vont, une bonne petite entrée en matière bien efficace!

Au tour maintenant des Américains d’Allegaeon d’investir les planches. Le combo du Colorado écume les scènes d’Amérique du Nord depuis maintenant dix ans, et à commencé a se faire un nom récemment en Europe. Forts de 4 albums dans ce laps de temps, ils sont présents pour nous présenter certains morceaux de leur cinquième méfait « Apoptosis » . Et force est de constater que même si leur Death Technique Mélodique semble être rudement efficace, un mix un peu aléatoire peut tout gâcher. Le son est brouillon, et le guitariste rythmique est presque totalement inaudible, ce qui gâche vraiment l’expérience. Et cela ne sera malheureusement pas le seul moment de la soirée ou le son ne sera pas au diapason…Dommage donc car les compos d’Allegaeon méritent vraiment un meilleur traitement…A revoir dans de meilleures conditions!

Il y a un moment que l’on a tous vécu, en passionnés de musique, et qui ne cessera jamais de faire mal : quand un groupe qu’on adore produit une prestation décevante. Comme je l’ai déjà dit, j’attendais de revoir Fallujah depuis 2014 et l’époque de « The Flesh Prevails », album absolument parfait à mon sens. Evoluant entre Deathcore et Death Technique Atmosphérique, les deux premiers albums m’avaient littéralement laissés sur le cul. A l’époque ils n’avaient joué que 30mn , et j’étais un peu resté sur ma faim. Entretemps, le groupe a sorti l’album « Dreamless », un peu en deça des précédents, mais ou l’on trouve notamment le morceau « The Void Alone », en featuring avec la chanteuse Tori Letzler, qui est juste fabuleux. Et puis successivement, le chanteur Alex Hoffmann et le guitariste Brian James ont quitté le navire. On en arrive donc en 2019 avec un nouvel album sur les rails, « Undying Light » , prêt a sortir, avec un nouveau chanteur au style totalement différent, Antonio Palermo. Peu avant cette tournée, le groupe a sorti un single, Ultraviolet, ou l’on se rends compte que le style vocal change de façon radicale , de growl à scream, et même si le coté atmosphérique est toujours là, le groupe a semble t’il évolué vers des sonorités plus sombres. Les deux facteurs liés changent donc radicalement le son du groupe. C’est au final avec un mélange d’excitation et d’appréhension que j’attaque ce concert…et dès le premier morceau, je me rends compte que le mixage ne rendra pas hommage aux compos « classiques » du groupe. Les parties atmosphériques sont presque inaudibles, et le chant d’Antonio ne colle pas a mon sens avec les anciens morceaux. Alors certes, les nouvelles compos rendent plutôt bien sur scène, mais ce n’est plus pour moi le Fallujah que j’aime. Pire, le morceau « The Void Alone », ou les parties de chant de Tori, même mixées, sont si importantes, sont soit éludées, soit mangées par un mixage dégueu…Une grosse déception donc…

Après avoir noyé mon chagrin dans une bière bien fraiche, je me place devant Obscura, espérant une prestation qui puisse me redonner un peu le sourire. Contrairement a Allegaeon et Fallujah qui promouvaient un album a venir, Obscura tourne pour défendre un effort sorti l’an dernier, « Diluvium » et ne se gênera pas pour le faire, la setlist laissant la part belle a cette offrande. Peu familier de l’univers du groupe, je prends quand même un grand plaisir devant le set du combo germanique, leur Death progressif de haute volée assaisonné avec une petite pointe de Black étant d’une sévère efficacité en live!

Malgré la déception ce fut donc une soirée plutôt réussi donc, un CCO bien rempli, une orga au top encore une fois, a bientôt pour de nouvelles aventures Lyonnaises!"

Via NoiseInjection : "Sounds Like Hell Productions a proposé une belle affiche Technical Death Metal au CCO de Villeurbanne. Dans une salle relativement remplie, la soirée s'annonçait terrible, les amateurs de riffs techniques et saturés ont été servis. Avec pas moins de 4 groupes, Obscura en tête d'affiche suivi de Fallujah, Allegaeon et First Fragment, il va sans dire que l'affiche propose des groupes avec déjà une certaine côte de popularité.

First Fragment Venus tout droit du Québec, First Fragment a rapidement lancé les débats en ouverture de la soirée. C'est brutal, dynamique et rappellera sans doutes leurs compatriotes de Beyond Creation. Sauf erreur de ma part, la présence de Dominic Lapointe (bassiste) dans les deux formations n'y est certainement pas étrangère.

Déferlement de technique, rapidité d'exécution, blast beats et passages néo-classiques, First Fragment a donné une leçon de Tech Death. Si quelques soucis de balance audio ont pu quelque peu enlever un peu de saveur à l'écoute, la prestation des canadiens a été bluffante. La place dédiée aux instruments à cordes est clairement dominante, si le duo de guitare ne cesse de martyriser le manche et de se renvoyer le tour à chaque solos, la basse prend une position essentielle et représente un vrai atout pour le groupe. Une entrée en matière sensationnelle avec une formation d'une redoutable efficacité.

Allegaeon Déjà à l'affiche du Hellfest 2019, Allegaeon connaît une belle ascension dans le monde du Death Metal, les américains voient leur côte de popularité grimper grâce à un style Mélodique puissant ses influences dans le MetalCore. Probablement le groupe qui m'a le plus attiré sur cette affiche d'ailleurs, là encore le niveau technique des musiciens est tout bonnement ahurissant. Ça va vite, ça joue fort, c'est lourd mais reste mélodieux, c'est la patte Allegaeon. Avec un Metal propice au headbang, les américains ont offert une grosse demi-heure de puissance avec des œuvres alternant entre des sonorités Progressives, Mélodiques et Death. Avec déjà plusieurs années de carrière, Allegaeon a fait preuve d'une maturité scénique certaine. Si la déferlante de notes et les growls répétés ne conviendront pas à tout public, les connaisseurs du groupe en ont eu pour leur argent. On se revoit en Juin à Clisson.

Fallujah Les californiens de Fallujah sont déjà couronnés d'une belle aura outre atlantique, malgré leur apparente jeunesse ils sont pourtant déjà signés par le label Nuclear Blast, signe que ce groupe dispose déjà d'une certaine confiance du monde professionnel. Prodiguant un Metal Extrême à la fois Atmosphérique et Progressif, Fallujah a fait bouger le public en proposant le package le plus brutal de la soirée.

Techniquement irréprochables à tous les niveaux, les américains ont très rapidement fait comprendre que leur réputation n'est pas volée. Malgré tout il y a un truc qui cloche, le groupe connaît une période de renouveau de sa formation avec ce qui semble un jeu de chaises musicales qui peut lui causer du tort. Si les albums studios dégageait une puissance vocale redoutable, le nouveau chanteur (découvert sur scène) m'a semblé moins cohérent avec les titres du groupe. Perdant en coffre et s'intégrant dans une démarche plus MetalCore (ce qui se fait habituellement/beaucoup trop dans cette niche), est-ce le signe d'une direction artistique moins innovante ? Verdict avec leur prochaine parution le mois prochain.

Obscura Seuls représentants européens de la soirée, les bavarois d'Obscura ont fait redescendre d'un cran l'énergie du public avec une musique plus démonstrative et moins rentre dedans. Virtuoses et efficaces, les titres s'enchaînent faisant la part belle à leur dernier album Dilivium. Clairement plus accessible que les groupes précédents, Obscura a proposé un set harmonieux me réservant de bonnes découvertes dont un dernier album qui semble disposer de nombreuses qualités. Avec à nouveau une débauche technique débordante (soirée Technical Death on l'aura compris), les allemands ont été accompagnés d'un jeu de lumière particulièrement réussi en plus d'un usage élevé de machines à fumées "façon lance flamme". Alternant sections polyrythmiques et mélodiques sans oublier leur identité profondément Death, Obscura a montré au public lyonnais qui était le patron ce soir."

Written by Thomas Pécoil & Djam Originally written for DailyRock webzine & Noise Injection

Live Report : First Fragment @ Glasgow, UK by TheIndependantVoice

Via The Independant Voice : "The Cathouse again, two days in a row, as 24hrs ago I was there watching Psycroptic and Aversions Crown, among others, laying waste to the Glasgow crowd. It was a mixed bag last night but this night’s music was a bit more nuanced, let’s say. German progressive death metal outfit Obscura were back in town again, but headlining this time; the last time they were stopping by this city was in support of Sepultura. I think it was eight years prior to that when they last played Glasgow, so these kind of shows are rare delights that should be savoured. They were bringing with them a fairly stacked package with some bands that I had not seen before. I saw Fallujah in this same venue six years ago in support of Carnifex, but it was going to be a first time for me seeing First Fragment and Allegaeon as they hadn’t come onto my radar at all up until this point. There was some definite intrigue in it for me and I was expecting quite a techy night of music which was going to attract a certain kind of crowd. There was a decent sized crowd already there for the first band of the night in First Fragment. I may have missed a few songs, but once I got there, I was instantly impressed. The mix wasn’t amazing but the music that came through was pretty high in quality. They were very techy and slightly progressive, and very adept at their trade. Phil Tougas was a beast on the guitar with some rather fantastical lead work going into his Jackson guitar.

There were some classical elements to their music which really did raise an eyebrow or two. The riffs were in constant flux and there was quite the duel going on between Phil Tougas and bassist Dominic Laponte at one point, with a sort of a call and response switch going on. Tougas was stealing the show though and there was one section of lead that went on for a good couple of minutes. The last song of the set was ‘Paradoxal Subjugation’, which opened with a brutal elongated scream from vocalist David AB. The harmonising guitars were so powerful and alive with electricity. It was a great introduction to this band and served as a top start to the night. Next up were Allegaeon and they started off brilliantly with ‘All Hail Science’. It was dirty. Filthy. Beautiful. For a band to announce themselves like that was just what you would want and it seemed that everyone there was thinking the same. They were quite techy but there was just the right amount of groove going on there as well. By the second track, some in the crowd were trying to generate a pit but it may have been too early on.

Allegaeon were driving on hard and took us back to their first album for the track ‘Biomech’, which was a belter of a track, full of shreddy harmonising and some tremendous drumming. Vocalist Riley McShane kept the crowd going and demanded a pit for the last track, which he got as this one seemed to be a fan favourite: ‘Behold (God I Am)’. The set was short but very sweet and it was some way to set up the crowd for the next act.

Fallujah had some big changes going on before this tour. Guitarist Brian James left the band and was replaced by Danny Tunker, they got a new vocalist, Antonio Palermo, and they announced a new album; all in quick succession. They took to the stage and opened up with ‘Carved From Stone’ and there seemed to be a much different aura being omitted from this band. Antonio Palermo looked possessed by rage and delivered a vocal tirade of mad screams when the heavier parts kicked in. There was more of an atmosphere in terms of tension, the music was very layered and shifted between cleaner and heavier passages in a slightly progressive manner.

Heads were banging in unison as ‘Sapphire’ came on as the bass dropped hard, assisted by the backing track from the laptop. People in the audience were really getting behind the band but I wasn’t feeling it at all really. Not that they weren’t great at what they do, it’s just not my cup of tea, but there were moments that were quite enjoyable such as the riff in ‘Scar Queen’. There just wasn’t enough of that for me. Plus, most of the lead work from Scott Carstairs was pretty similar from one track to the next so there was consistency but nothing unexpected.

‘Amber Daze’ was the second last song of the set as announced by Antonio and I was rather pleased at that as my urge to see some Obscura was ever growing.They put one last show of effort into the last track, ‘The Void Alone’, and Antonio went right up to the crowd and screamed without his mic to hand, creating a powerful closing scene. The crowd really seemed to enjoy Fallujah’s set, it just wasn’t something that really captivated me. They were good for what they are but I just found it a bit dull.

The time had finally come and it was Obscura’s turn to take to the stage and they started with a new track in ‘Emergent Evolution’, which drove with pace with a lighter and more melodic tone than some of what was to come. There was some excellent lead work from Rafael Trujillo with tapped notes that slid up and down the fretboard, creating a tone that was quite remarkable. A pit occurred during the second track, ‘Ten Sepiroth’, which was announced by someone smashing into the back of me, spilling some of my beer; how dare they! Best keep yourself aware at gigs like this in Glasgow, or anywhere for that matter.

The title track for ‘Diluvium’ had some almighty filthy bottom end brilliance in it and heads were well and truly banging away throughout the set. Most of the band walked off, leaving bassist Linus Klausenitzer to take the central focus as he worked his seven sting bass in an intriguing display of quite deep and emotive work. The band walked back in as they built up and exploded with ‘Septuagint’ and the audience was connecting with shouts of “hey, hey,” ringing loud. We also got a nice display of lead from the main man himself, Steffen Kummerer, who looked nothing but assured and composed as you could imagine of someone with so much talent.

The death metal elements were so heavy but were always surrounded by the band’s willingness to take the sound to other realms. When they go for the bottom end stuff, it is glorious, but so are the more progressive passages that evolve the songs with complex melodies that swirl the atmosphere in a far reaching manner. It doesn’t overstep or betray, but it does give us something entirely different to chew on and keeps you on your toes for the next wave to flow over you. ‘Ode To The Sun’ had this in heaps and had such a brilliant break to it and some excellent drumming from drummer Sebastian Lanser.

Sadly, the Cathouse has an early curfew and the nature of this stacked lineup had left us a couple of tracks short when conflicting with this. We were going to infinity for the last two songs though, as we got the more proggy ‘Perpetual Infinity’, which switched from clean to rapid heaviness, inspiring the pitters to go at it again as the set was winding down. There was more brilliant drumming in this one, as there was for our last track of the night, ‘An Epilogue To Infinity’. It also had more devilishly heavy death metal going on at parts and heads were banging throughout the venue. It was a top way to end the set and the night, as they were the headliner and the pick of the bunch, albeit with Allegaeon being a close second. That wraps up gigs at the Cathouse for now, but there’s MGLA in March to look forward to so I may just be back once again in the very near future. I hope it won’t be long before Obscura are back round these parts and hopefully they’ll play ‘Ocean Gateways’ again next time…"

Originally written by Pete Mutant for TheIndependantVoice.org