TORMENT
The Damage Is Done
(EBM Records)
30:27min

Old school Thrash Metal will never die! That’s a fact. This style has never lost its magic since its origin in the glorious 80s when acts like SLAYER, EXODUS, DESTRUCTION, KREATOR and countless more made their first footsteps in order to conquer the whole planet. Since then new armies of bands followed their idols and TORMENT are one of those outfits. The Milan based horde was created back in 2002 so you can’t call them newcomers to the scene even if it lasted five years until this four piece was able to release their debut album entitled "Suffocated Dreams". Originally thrown onto the market on their own in 2007 it got recently re-issued by Italy based Metal experts Punishment 18 Records. The record we are talking about is not the first long player but their follow up "The Damage Is Done" which saw the light of day by EBM Records from Mexico through their ‘Thrash Is Back’ series. Although being thoroughly an old school album the quartet doesn’t use the generic Thrash formula till the bitter end as they deliver their trade with some fresh and unique ideas (but keeping it close to what Thrash is all about). The eight tracker comes up with solid songwriting, totally Metal fueled headbanging stuff and crunchy guitar riffs. The axe department really does a great job. Skilled and catchy at the same time with crushing rhythms and excellent variety in speed. The cool bass guitar is quite well audible as well which adds some extra power and heavinyess to the sound. Fabri’s vocal performance needs to be mentioned as well. Not that he is the best shouter around but his voice has an interesting tone. It’s a more dark, harsh / gruff style of singing – a little bit in the vein of Killjoy. All in all "The Damage Is Done" is a decent and enjoyable effort for roughly half an hour of pure and honest Metal thrashing madness albeit some fine-tunings need to be made in the future. Hopefully they keep up the good work with their next releases. Interested maniacs should get in touch at www.facebook.com/pages/torment/157391966048.

Michael Oelschlegel

Michael Oelschlegel

Related reviews / interviews:
TORMENT - Occult (Mirco Szymyslik)
TORMENT - Pain Is Transient, Failure Forever (Lem Lycurgus)
TORMENT - Forgive The Ignorant (Frank Stöver )

Leave a Reply