First Fragment - Dasein

Image via YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP0GIa9uJjE

As far as relatively obscure tech-death bands are concerned, Quebecois outfit First Fragment has been my most exciting discovery of the year so far. Like many of its neoclassical-inspired metal predecessors (the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, and Necrophagist), it attempts to augment the raw power of metal with bursts of sweep-picking, hammers, and other dizzying guitar techniques. Another aspect that adds to the music’s intrigue is its expressionist French lyrics. After their debut album Dasein(2016), the band released their long-awaited follow-up Gloire Éternelle in 2021.

Dasein is a feverish yet coherent blitz of baroque-inspired guitar counterpoint, nuevo flamenco influences, a distinctive fretless bass sound, and a turbulent drum section. This album is the culmination of a decade-long effort by the band to create a unique approach to tech-death that is difficult to categorize. The incessant shredding in each song is heightened by vocals which alternate between shrieking to low gutturals.

The album's all-French lyrics are emotionally charged abstract poetry that seem to have overtones of horror and morbidity in it. However, its concept is a bit too metaphorical to wrap one’s head around. There also seems to be an unmistakable Bach influence throughout the album, and they pay tribute to him in one of the album’s instrumental sojourns Prélude En Sol Dièse Mineur. My personal favourite song is L'entite'. It flows from a flamenco guitar intro to blistering tech-death riffing, while the pace of the music changes constantly.

To sum up, First Fragment blends a variety of neoclassical elements with tech-death on Dasein, weaving an exquisite tapestry of sound. The technical virtuosity displayed in the album’s instrumentation combined with its conceptual cohesiveness makes it an exhilarating listen.