Torture Killers – Swarm! / 2006 Metal Blade / 10 Tracks / http://www.torturekiller.com / http://www.metalblade.com / Reviewed 11 April 2006

The opening guitar work done on the title track (which also opens the disc up) is perfect in showcasing the sound (one can think) is made by a swarm of locusts or other flying creatures. The vocals present on “Forever Dead” are slightly different from the Cookie Monster vocals that are present on a number of other metal albums. In this, the cheesy sound of other acts is rolled back to really allow for the lyrics to shine through. The lighter sound of the vocals really makes the track go by faster; while it is merely an illusion, this reinterpretation of metal vocals also seems to speed up the tempo of the track.

Where the first few tracks on “Swarm!” were great in their own right, Torture Killer really shines above even their high-water mark with “A Funeral For The Masses”. “A Funeral For The Masses” leads well into “Multiple Counts of Murder”. The simple back and forth of Torture Killer, coupled with the always-recognizable vocals means that both groups – moshers and singers – will be placated when the band makes it to the stage. The breakdown during “Multiple Counts of Murder” mixes very clear and clean guitar lines (to the degree that they sound influenced by black metal) with the growl one expects from the band. “Multiple Counts of Murder” is a perfect example of a track that mixes all different style – black, thrash, and even progressive metal – to make a compelling track that has a tremendous amount of narrative to it. “Obsessed With Homicide” is another move forward for Torture Killer, as the vocals actually add another dimension to the band with a stepwise sound that has Chris Barnes (Six Feet Under) moving up the scale.

The tracks are not short, but they really do have a quick feel to them owing much to the lack of introduction the band uses. Individuals are cast immediately into the thought processes of Torture Killers; each track smashes into each other instead of cutting out nicely. The music is familiar without being repetitive, smooth without being commercial, and furious without being dumb. “Swarm!” is a great metal album that will have listeners enthralled for a good thirty-five minutes. The compositions present are dense enough that listeners can take hours, if not days of time dissecting what all Torture Killer has thrown into the mix. Pick the album up and see how it compares to the rest of metal out; one will not be disappointed.

Top Tracks: A Funeral For The Masses, Multiple Counts of Murder

Rating: 6.4/10

[JMcQ]