Allegaeon – Fragments of Form and Function
Because the metal scene is so saturated with bands staking their claim on an ever-shrinking piece of land, I tend to hold anything I review to a pretty high standard. I have little patience for clones, nor for bands that just put out the same album for twenty years. That is why it is a refreshing treat to discover Allegaeon and their Metal Blade debut, Fragments of Form and Function.
Allegaeon burst forth with a vicious technical death metal assault. Upon first listen they reminded me of Boston’s Revocation, Montreal’s Martyr, and Sweden’s Anata. All these bands combine brutality with precision playing for their own unique brand of tech-death, but share the common vein of being able to write actual songs amidst all the shred.
Allegaeon are at times slightly more melodic than the rest of the technical pack, and at others slightly more brutal and groovy. For example, during the intro of “From Seed to Throne” I hear some Beneath the Massacre tech-ing, and throughout many of the songs some The Black Dahlia Murder structural influence. Combining all these cutting-edge elements with the expected death metal staples packs Fragments of Form and Function full of the things you crave from a release in this genre, but also full of things to discover.
Although Fragments of Form and Function is chock-full of ideas and riffs, there really is no filler content in there. The songs are often longer than they could be, but only because of extensive melodic and shredding solos. These leads are really damn good, and in a scene filled with two-string breakdown riffs, are more than welcome.
Allegaeon have not invented anything new with Fragments of Form and Function, but like many of the greats, they know how to pick and choose the elements from their influences that work best for them. If you like any of the bands mentioned in this review, Allegaeon are a sure bet for your collection.
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10 Comments
July 5th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
I've been looking forward to this release for at least a year now. I'm not sure how I came across their EP in the past but this is by far one of my favourite bands out there. The production and technique are unbelievable. Not sure if I can wait another 2 weeks for this bad boy now.
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July 5th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
As soon as I got this record, I knew who to send it to
Totally into this one, front front to back…killer album! Really good job Eric!
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KLZQ replied:
July 5th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
I'm pretty sure I'm this bands second biggest fan
. Can you forward this album to a metal loving Canadian bhaha?
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July 5th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Thanks Lee! Yes this kind of thing is just up my alley.
KLZQ: good to hear from a fellow Canadian on here. We cannot however forward you the album, lol, that would be betraying the trust bands and labels put in us when submitting their stuff. Buy it, yo!
Whereabouts in the great white North you from?
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KLZQ replied:
July 5th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
My man! I've purchased every metal album I own… can't say the same about the other genres the girlfriend wants on the iPod if you catch my drift
. I'm in a rural city known as Mississauga buddy. How about you!? I know you can't forward it 
, but as I said before. This is the worst site ever because of the reviews and teasers. I hear something insane, check the release date only to see that I'll have aged 2 years before it comes out 
.
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Eric Burnet replied:
July 5th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
Haha, well that's the beauty of advance press. By the time it comes out, you can't resist any more!
I know Mississauga. I'm friends with the guys in the local band Hallows Die from there. myspace.com/hallowsdie if you've never heard 'em. Great stuff!
I'm from Montreal myself. Québécois born and raised, but I've been to every province except Newfoundland!
Cheers mate.
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KLZQ replied:
July 6th, 2010 at 10:32 am
That's amazing man. I've done the cross Canada drive from Toronto out west and it's one of the most beautiful things you could ever experience. Driving through the prairies with Brain Drill pushed to 11 is something one must do at least once in their life. Looking forward to some more reviews. If you ever need a helping hand I'm only 7 hours south of you haha.
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July 20th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Just finished listening to this monster all the way through. I think I have a new favourite band. This album is crushing in every sense of the word. The review is spot on. I am obsessed with this bad boy.
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July 23rd, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Yeah, nice review dude! Although simple, you're view really spoke to the what I believe is what Allegaeon was trying to achieve with this release. Like some of the other folks, I've been waiting for this release for quite awhile and they did not disappoint. Can't wait to see them live and see what they can really do.
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August 8th, 2010 at 4:41 am
I finally got around to listening to these guys. And they blew me out of the water. I have been wasting so much time not listening to them.
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