Severe Torture - Sworn Vengeance
Earache - MOSH354CD - 12th November, 2007
By Paddy Walsh
Brutal death metal is hardly the most lively of genres of late, wih many traditional scene luminaries getting placcid with age (see Morbid Angel), and a continuing glut of bands following a hackneyed death metal formula that was perfected over a decade ago - many of the bands have struggled to carve an identity within a scene that has never quite broken free of its own heavy constraints.
Those of you who agree with aforementioned statement will find Severe Torture's newest offering all the more appealing, it being traditional, groove-based death metal done is such an adeptly brilliant fashion as to have us quickly forget the reams of death metal mediocrity that has been flung in our direction this last while. 'Dismal Perception' immediately grabs, the many lyrical refrains to the title echo early Suffocation, and its sometimes melodic solo fits perfectly. This is an aspect to Sworn Vengeance that marks it as 'stunning', the consistently excellent songwriting makes it seem as though they're unaware that many of their peers ran out of ideas years ago. Severe Torture unpretentiously forage an unstoppable path through the death metal cannon. 'Repeat Offender' switches effortlessly between and mid-paced menace, and elsewhere its follow-up 'Countless Villains' trudges through frantic chugging, spoken word and growled verses to a gradual, speedy climax bolstered by manic soloing.
Severe Torture aren't the most technical, brutal or even the fastest death metal band you're ever likely to hear. Like fellow Dutchmen Aborted, however, they've put the focus firmly on songwriting prowess to create one of the best death metal offerings these ears have had the (mis)pleasure of hearing in years. A triumphant assault, if ever there was one - disillusioned death metallers listen up!
Official Severe Torture Website
Official Earache Website
Earache - MOSH354CD - 12th November, 2007
By Paddy Walsh
Brutal death metal is hardly the most lively of genres of late, wih many traditional scene luminaries getting placcid with age (see Morbid Angel), and a continuing glut of bands following a hackneyed death metal formula that was perfected over a decade ago - many of the bands have struggled to carve an identity within a scene that has never quite broken free of its own heavy constraints.
Those of you who agree with aforementioned statement will find Severe Torture's newest offering all the more appealing, it being traditional, groove-based death metal done is such an adeptly brilliant fashion as to have us quickly forget the reams of death metal mediocrity that has been flung in our direction this last while. 'Dismal Perception' immediately grabs, the many lyrical refrains to the title echo early Suffocation, and its sometimes melodic solo fits perfectly. This is an aspect to Sworn Vengeance that marks it as 'stunning', the consistently excellent songwriting makes it seem as though they're unaware that many of their peers ran out of ideas years ago. Severe Torture unpretentiously forage an unstoppable path through the death metal cannon. 'Repeat Offender' switches effortlessly between and mid-paced menace, and elsewhere its follow-up 'Countless Villains' trudges through frantic chugging, spoken word and growled verses to a gradual, speedy climax bolstered by manic soloing.
Severe Torture aren't the most technical, brutal or even the fastest death metal band you're ever likely to hear. Like fellow Dutchmen Aborted, however, they've put the focus firmly on songwriting prowess to create one of the best death metal offerings these ears have had the (mis)pleasure of hearing in years. A triumphant assault, if ever there was one - disillusioned death metallers listen up!
Official Severe Torture Website
Official Earache Website
