The South Coast outfit is an unbelievable talent on its way to being a force to be reckoned with.
Echo Scale: ★★★★☆ (4.9)
Augmentia, a new progressive metal/metalcore outfit hailing from the South Coast, has arrived on the scene with a mission to combine the irreverent songwriting of genre heavyweights like Monuments, Periphery, and Sikth with the soaring, dynamic vocal styles reminiscent of Erra and Invent Animate.
Formed in 2024, the trio comprising guitarist Matt Fearnley, vocalist Will Bennett, and drummer Elliot Strugnell, has dropped “Egoist,” a track that serves as a powerful debut statement. This atmospheric, regret-filled, emotive banger is an absolute conjuring of their influences, particularly Periphery. Without further ado, let’s break down the song.
The Vibe: Sheer Terror and Unrelenting Aggression
“Egoist” is an intense, emotive ride focusing in on tragedy and the effects this can have on the human brain. The band takes you on a journey through the proposed lead character’s mind with a level of sheer terror and unrelenting aggression that shows they are masters of understanding progressive metalcore as well as they are playing it. Particular props must be given to the creepy, unsettling intro, which is perfectly executed and a perfect choice to set the mood.
A Laboratory of Sound: Talking Production
In an earlier article, we discussed how some genres demand over-polishing. Djent and Progressive Metal fit perfectly into the category where making something studio-sterile is a signature of the sound, and it is entirely on display here. With noise gates high and compressors armed, this track genuinely sounds like it was formed in a laboratory.
We do have a minor critique: sometimes the clean vocals sit too far back in the mix, cloaked in the overwhelming surge that the guitar and bass are delivering in their respective frequencies. Besides this small note, the production is impeccable.
Guitars: A Percussive Instrument
Guitarist Matt Fearnley injects expressive melodies and crushing rhythm patterns into every beat. The guitar tone here is exactly what the subgenre demands: crisp, tight, polished, downtuned, and with a noise gate the size of Western Europe.
Interestingly, we aren’t in a Periphery-style garage of complex, technical riffs, but rather along the lines of Sikth, where the guitars are used more like a percussive instrument, stabbing and punctuating the song perfectly to keep the listener on their toes and nodding their heads.
Drumming: The Star of the Show
For us, the star of the show in this song is undoubtedly the drum work by Elliot Strugnell. He rises to any challenge, time signature, and tempo thrown at him. Elliot navigates frequent time signature changes with the accuracy of a sniper, supported by huge kick and snare sounds.
This is a drum line for people with an understanding of music; it isn’t all fills and frills, but it expertly navigates you through a complex song with a lot of moving parts with precision and aggression. This performance is truly unique and phenomenally composed.
Vocals: Breathtaking Spectrum
Aside from being a little quiet in places, the clean vocals delivered by Will Bennett are excellent. They portray a vulnerability, emotive intensity, and melody with an excellent performance.
Vocally, however, it is hard to get past the screamed vocals. They are simply breathtaking. Guttural growls, screeching highs, the whole spectrum is covered and layered absolutely perfectly, no notes.
Final Verdict
Let us be totally clear: if you love this genre, this is simply an unmissable track. We know it isn’t for everybody, but that is the nature of art. What a song, what a performance; these guys are ones to watch.
