Inexplicably unsigned after 2007s impressive debut, Karma (released on Disconcert Music no less), Vengeful ply a top notch form of technical, brutal death metal that culls from their innate Canadian influences (Gorguts and Cryptopsy in particular), which isn’t surprising considering former and current members have ties to the likes of Atheretic, Augury and Neuraxis, though there’s a bit of experimentation thrown in here and there. And though there’s been a bit of a lineup shuffle since Karma, the result is still as devastating.

With Vengeful I’m reminded of country mates Paroxysm; super awesome death metal from Canada that just doesn’t get enough attention amid the big boys. And your attention shall be gotten as opener “Forsaken” sets the mood with the perfect opening tempo and foreboding lurch reminiscent of Behemoth, then they unleash a typically Canadian vortex of blasting, growling and complex but hefty time changes that matches anything from their peers in intensity and skill.

“Beholder” is a short savage stab before the heaving “Anguish” and Detention” shows the band more restrained side with some menacing background acoustics and killer, slower drumming sections from Etienne Gallo (Augury, Negativa) that reminded me of Vore. “Lapsus” is an intelligent slow burner with multiple layers and a military mid song march to die for before “Nightmare” and “Sanctioned” bring the high octane fury once again. All of it perfectly produced and

Luc Lemay of Gorguts provides some extra vocal lunch for the 21 minute closer “Transcending”, a simply epic display of death metal that not much in 2009 will match as far as sheer blistering scope, variety and depth for that kinds of duration. Full of artfully crafted sonic peaks an valleys, the track is truly one of 2009s death metal highlights and cements The Omnipresent Curse as one of 2009s hidden gems and a CD all death metal fans should check out. Unsigned you say?

WTF?

Touted for fans of Crytopsy, Nile, Immolation and Gorguts, the band’s lineage is impressive for a former side project with current and former members having served in Canada’s extreme elite (Atheretic, Despised Icon, Neuraxis, Torn Within), and while the name dropping seems heavy handed, the end result is a typically complex yet brutal and intellectual take on modern death metal that actually fulfills the press sheet’s promise.

Admittedly after the first song, “Sentenced” blew by under a sub two minute vortex of typically savagely intricate Canadian tightness, I braced for another 8 tracks of almost Origin like tenacity, only to have “Cold Ways” and the Gorguts-ish “Burial” suddenly deliver two impressive, choppy, technical tracks of time changing, challenging brutality. Then things got really interesting as the ten minute standout “Counterfeit Deity”. Holy crap is this an amazing song; Starting with a typical death metal expulsion, about three minutes in the track takes the first on many tangents with a layered, truly epic, almost Nile like lumbering mid section then blistering black metal blast beat, then a killer lengthy solo ridden section before yet another Nile-ish segue and more blackened furor. And that’s all in the first 7 minutes of the song!

“Burial pt 2” has a tough act to follow, but uses an evocative pianos and silence to settle things down before unleashing yet more violent and somehow original death metal. You want brutal, Unique Leader styled, deep grunt filled voracity mixed with Willowtip –ish complexity? Try the short sharp bursts of “Cleansing” and the title track. Then settle in for yet another lengthy, (8-minutes) brilliantly varied track, “Tempted” before delicate flamenco instrumental closer “Mortem Obire” allows you to catch your breath.

Even without the two amazing longer tracks, Karma has an air of freshness and creativity I have not heard in some time (Lykathea Aflame or Kralizec maybe?) while still appealing to all my death metal desires and should be an album all death metal fans should check out, especially those jaded with the predictability of some of the genres bigger names.