Old School Swedish Death Metal. I’m pretty sure there’s a book on it. (Probably worth reading if you’re a fan of this type of music). Tormented as a band have only been around five years, but after a bit of searching I found that some of the members are veterans of this Death Metal game (Since the promo had no names dropped, I shall not either, as I believe this album has merit enough without the need for that).
The title track starter has a classic-but-don’t-call-it-classic sound to it. A drum and guitar build up with a nice lead guitar harmony flowing all until the buzz comes in. And for those of you new to this type of music, that buzz is from a Boss HM-2 pedal turned to fucking 11. It’s a signature sound of the early Swedish death movement; and Tormented have it down well. Lots of galloping rhythms, guitars that seem to just emit a curse causing you to move your neck and body, this is horns in the air death metal. And this is all just from the first track. HA!
‘Blood Orgy’ is bound to incite a group meeting of pupils for that of which it gets its genital-cringing name from. I’ll leave that at that. 'To Spill Her Blood' has a classic early-90s guitar intro to it with a death determined demeanor following. It’s a real chugging track, meant for driving at night with your crew before you head to the show. Don’t forget the beer for afterwards. ‘Black Sky’ is one of those songs that sounds like at any given moment it could fall to fucking bits. And it does. At 2:35 when it’s over. Last two tracks ‘Into the Crypts of Death’ and ‘In the Presence of Death’ are like peanut butter and jelly; if peanut butter and jelly could kill you with sheer volume and evil incantations toward the dead. Tormented saved the most painful (in a good way, cause you fuckers are like that) tracks for the end.
If you know the likes of Entombed, early Dismember, the early vocals of Tom G. Warrior and/or even the slightest bits of At The Gates, you've heard parts of this record before. And that IS NOT A BAD THING whatsoever. This album is doing things those bands haven’t done for years. I’m not a fan of revival trends or bandwagons. Tormented is not that. With great written and superbly executed sounds of filth and death, Tormented are just pick up where other left of. Someone has to waive the flag.
Tormented’s Death Awaits is available now through Listenable Records in the UK, and on May 7th in the US. Listenable Records has been on a roll lately, with acts such as Svart Crown, The Amenta and a few others you’ll see here on the site. Keep and eye out for even more coming. Support artists and musicians you love, go out and grab Death Awaits!!
HAIL!! HAIL!! HAIL!!
