Storm Alert
Originally released in 1989,
Storm Alert was recently reissued by Escapi Music, and all I have to say is thanks for the heads-up on this incredible band.
Torture are through and through a metal band. They've got elements of thrash, but they aren't limited to that sub-genre. The Intro kicks things off with an eerie orchestral feel and choir. "Ignominious Slaughter" then barrels out of the gate like Secretariat possessed with gang vocals in the chorus and a banshee wail that lets loose after the 2nd chorus. "Dwell Into Surreality" may have some cheesy lyrics, but the thundering mid-tempo rhythm and face-melting solo more than make up for this. "Blood Portraits" has an acoustic opening which gives way to a lightning-fast thrashing featuring prominent bass. " Slay Ride" is an evil Christmas song that envisions Santa as a mischievous bastard who steals children from their parents. It's stupid, but the instrumental parts of the song are much better.
Now we come to the second half of the album, which is the best half. "Terror Kingdom", "Enter the Chamber" (complete with bass solo), the instrumentals " Whips Part I" and "Whips Part II", and the closer, "Deceiver", don't mess around with acoustic passages, orchestras, or evil Santas; just mammoth riffs and metal glory. "Whips Part I" is the faster of the two instrumentals, but Part II is just as devastating. Forget Guantanamo Bay, this is Torture you can be proud of.
