ALBUM REVIEW: Rise Of The Lifeless – Tortured Demon
For those in the know, TORTURED DEMON have been on the ones to watch radar for some time. They’re a fresh, exciting talent from Oldham, UK delivering high adrenaline thrash blended with electric melodies and hardcore-esque breakdowns – a potent mix which has seen them invited back for a second run at this year’s Bloodstock Festival following an incendiary performance in 2021 where they quite literally brought the house down on the Jägermeister Stage. For those new to the quartet, what we’ve got here is one of the most energetic powerhouses in the UK metal scene. Age is just a number obviously, but these fresh-faced young guns (the youngest is 17 at time of writing) have a swagger and talent that belie their tender years. They have the confidence of youth but experienced chops to back it up. Rise Of The Lifeless picks up smoothly from their debut In Desperation’s Grip and elevates their already impressive style.
After the fanfare of album opener An Empire Condemned, the four-piece waste no time in establishing their presence with the title track launching into furious guitar driven thrash. The rapid-fire riffs are matched in intensity with the blistering drum work and the bass bolstering the attack. With the instrumentation combining to generate this level of intensity, it is imperative for the vocals to cut through and establish space for clarity and contribution. Fortunately, this has been achieved. The vocals are clear enough that lyrics are distinguishable, yet are set firmly within the overall mix lending an extra textural and dynamic weight to the track. The melodic chorus lines of the vocals are supported by the hooks and riffs of the guitars elevating the anthemic edge and marking this out as superb choice showcasing what TORTURED DEMON are all about.
In Desperation’s Grip indicated that the talent of the quartet was going to be more than just a flash in the pan. There was a raw edge to their sound, which is often to be expected from a young thrash band’s debut, but the songwriting and musicianship hinted at more than just a quick angsty flash fire. Rise Of The Lifeless has lost none of this raw potency that prevailed on the debut, but there is more that TORTURED DEMON have now harnessed and implemented. They’ve honed in on the stylistic elements, songwriting and structure developments have allowed them to encompass more of the thrash genre and mix more complex rhythms and melodies. The result is an outrageous amount of stand out highlights on a tightly packed album, like the monstrously anthemic Global Threat that charges along at break neck speed before neatly switching tempo for an audience friendly chorus, then onto a breakdown that will leave many a sore neck.
Conflict Of Interest is an uncompromising bruiser of a track that again takes all the stylistics of thrash and expertly weaves in mature melodies and breakdowns that enables it to be both punishing and accessible. Elsewhere, the crushing Erase Your Life harnesses all of that angst and rage that was prevalent on the debut and focuses it into a staccato driven rager. It has a refined brutality and indicates that TORTURED DEMON have developed a sense of awareness of when to hold back and when to absolutely let loose. These are just a handful of high points on a release that is layered with memorable and exceptional moments.
There’s zero trace of the often commented on second album difficulties. The calibre of the music on offer here is what one would expect of a band four or five albums deep into their career. The energy and excitement that this record generates cannot be overstated. It is very possible that this is the cusp of greatness for a band that are ticking all the right boxes. Rise Of The Lifeless bares all the hallmarks of definitively classic album in years to come.
Rating: 10/10
Rise Of The Lifeless is set for release on June 2nd via self-release.
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