TORTURERS' LOBBY :" Deadened Nerves"

This Tampa band takes thrash to a more aggressive place, not unlike early Sepultura, but with more of a lurking hard-core influence. They have some hooky riffs, and the harsh bark of the vocals has more purpose than most bands of their ilk these days. I can hear how this might appeal to fans of Power Trip. There is a little more of a straightforward chug being hammered into place by a torrent of double bass on the second song. The riffs are not as hooky as those on the opening track, and the faster tempo makes the vocals feel rushed at times. Even then things work more often than not. The challenge they face is one many bands of their kind do when the temptation to throw caution to the wind and play faster sets it. They have to find the most prudent manner to do this which serves the song. 

This album has a production value that reminds me of "Beneath the Remains" as the reverb creates a cavernous backdrop. "Captured Pieces" is even faster so shows less restraint than the previous song, at under two minutes in length. As a young band, they are eager to throw down. I like the darker punk riff that opens "Reaper's Impunity" to give a crustier feel to things. But once again the focus is on the building momentum of the song rather than where they could have gone with that melodic theme. "Hypnotic Seeds Sown' finds a more blackened element creep in with the blasting. It works well enough but has the same hurried approach most music of this sort finds itself getting lost in. 

The haunting throb of "Humanity's Husk" is more stirring. The dark deliberate nature is largely cultivated. It taps into a place where all is not metallic rage, but a sonic heaviness. This makes it one of the album's best songs. "Re-education " is propelled by a thrashing punk energy. The instrumental "Enduring Spirit" shows the guitars have pretty formidable chops, and this is likely his band. The last song meets at that crossroads between death metal and thrash. The burly bass tone gives it a backbone. These guys are good at what they are doing, it really depends on if you are in the mood for what they do., I will give this album a 9. The album drops June 7th on Caligari Records.  

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