HISTORY
AUGURY is a relatively new name in Montréal’s musical landscape, yet the very idea of the band was in the air since the musicians met in 1997. But serious stuff began in the winter of 2001/2002 when lead/classical guitarist Mathieu Marcotte left his band Spasme and started auditioning a string of drummers to seriously start a complete outfit. Shortly after, he was joined by soprano vocalist Arianne Fleury and demented bass wizard Dominic “Forest” Lapointe and started to jam complete songs.
In the mean time, vocalist Patrick Loisel had pledged to join and, in February 2002, took a hiatus left his outfit Kralizec to become the band’s other lead guitarist as well. In June of 2002, former Adenine’s drummer Mathieu Groulx completed the line-up and helped the band shape their first six songs and play its first show. However, lack of time and different musical tastes led him to depart Augury.
For a few months, the drummer-less outfit spent time writing more songs, focusing on strings instruments arrangements. Then, to the relief of everyone, the final missing piece fell in the puzzle as drummer Étienne Gallo took over the seat. After months of arranging and rehearsing the songs, AUGURY finally commit their work into an album. Concealed was recorded by Yannick St-Amand and mixed by Jean-François Dagenais.
MUSIC
AUGURY doesn’t identify itself with any pre-established school of music, but it can be fit into the extreme metal category since they favor fast playing, low tuning and rough vocals. A further link can be made with the Norwegian symphonic Black Metal scene, for the use of classical, Celtic and medieval overtones and the lush vocal harmonies that embellish about half of the songs. Triplet feels and guitar/bass dual and triple harmonies are indeed a staple of Augury’s music. Yet, there is no keyboard, no fake vampire image and a totally different lyrical concept.
Also, the musicians add influences from a lot of other sources. All members are big fans of progressive rock, classical baroque and jazz and there is a big flamenco influence (Strunz & Farrah, Paco de Lucia, Don Ross) in the playing. Strings players alone total almost 50 years of practicing their instruments and Patrick started singing in the late 80’s while Arianne is classically trained. Yet, everyone still yearns to widen his or her horizon...
MEMBERS
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Pat Loisel Born in Montreal on 1970-05-26, Patrick spent most of his life in Valleyfield. Former bands : Foreshadow (1990-1996) & Kralizec (1997-2002) Interests outside music : Nature and wilderness, alternative science and history, fly fishing, RC modeling, conspiracy theories, tarantulas and cats. Early Influences :Ozzy, Iron Maiden, Rush, Nasty Savage, Trouble, King and Mercyful Fate, Morbid Angel, Groovy Aardvark (Qc),Marillion, Voivod, Forbidden, Yngwie Malmsteen, Testament, Slayer, Candlemass Favorite bands : Hollenton, Emperor, Akercocke, Mutant, Enslaved, Symbyosis, Gronibard, Believer, Dragonlord, Tuatha de Danaan, Cryptopspy(Qc), Unexpect(Qc), Diamanda Galas, Bartok, Mussorvski, Dvorjak, Enya, Fear Factory, Carcass. Productions :Augury: Concealed (2004), (With Foreshadow) “Here Down on Earth” (demo 1991) “The Green God” (1992) “Revolt” (1994) “Do we disturb?” (1996) (With Kralizec) Eponymous, localy released in 1999 Reissue 2003 on Maquiavel Records with the title “Origin” |
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Mathieu Marcotte Born in Val d’Or in Abitibi (Northern Quebec) on 1976-04-17 Former band : Spasme Interests outside music : Conspiracy theories, oriental cooking, morphopsychology, history.Nature and what it provides us, beer and what it provides us… Early influences : Cynic, Opeth, Emperor, Gorguts, Death, Obliveon, Leo Brouwer, Strunz & Farah, Michael Hedges (RIP), Don Ross, Pierre Bensusan, Pink Floyd, Messhugah, Nile. Favorite bands/artists : all influences + Mutant, Theory in Practice, Greg Martin, Robert Venosa, H.R. Giger, Alex Grey, H.P. Lovecraft, Geisha Sushi’s chef, Antigoni Goni, Astor Piazolla, David Gilmour, Ayreon, King Crimson, Dilliger Escape Plan, Mike Patton. Productions :(With Humanoid) Remembering Universe (2008), Augury: Concealed (2004), (With Spasme) “ Deep Inside ” (1999) “ Traumatism ” (1995) |
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Dominic “Forest” Lapointe Born in Forestville, Eastern Quebec, on 1976-02-19 Other bands: Atheretic, Quo Vadis, BARF Former bands : Satanized, Gore Interests outside music : Sciences, biking, fishing Early influences : Cliff Burton, Geddy Lee, Steve Di Giorgio Favorite bands : Opeth, Fintroll, Suffocation, Death. Productions :Augury: Concealed (2004), (With Atheretic) Adhesion-Aversion (2001) Apocalyptic Nature Fury (2005) (With Satanized) In Search of Beyond (1997) |
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Antoine Baril Born in Quebec City on 1981/10/21. Other bands : Symbolic (Death tribute), MAG Project Former bands : Tormentor Allegoria (Live Session 2008 (Bass)), Signs of Fate (Studio Session 2007), Sanction (2002 - 2004), Bone Setter (2003 - 2004), Self Circus (2000 - 2004) Interests outside music : Audio and video productions, stringed instrument making, cooking and stuff. Early influences : Neil Peart, Gene Hoglan, Nicholas Barker, Phil Collins, Vince Dicola, Per Nilsson, Steve Hackett. Favorite bands : Death, Rush, Genesis, Dimmu Borgir, Scar Symmetry, Martyr, Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant Productions : Signs of Fate (Promo 2007) |