TORTURE KILLER „Swarm!”

Music: Death Metal
Website: www.torturekiller.com
Country: Finland
Duration: 34:31
Cool Songs: All

I've been a fan of Chris Barnes since his beginning and after hearing Torture Killer's first album, I soon became a fan of theirs too. Sure, they copy the Six Feet Under sound and that's exactly why I liked them. It was also the reason for The Evil One, who has joined forces with them for their second album, Swarm!. This is one of the most amazing things to happen to Death Metal yet, in my book. What a lethal combo this brings. With Chris producing, writing and doing vocals along with Erik Rutan at the controls, Torture Killer has become a major force in the world of Death. Torture Killer was already a killer force, but now……..look out!

The title track starts us out with some pure Death and some awesome lead work, introducing us to the new major force to come. “Forever Dead” is a song that I just can't get enough of. It is a heavy ass, driving rhythm behind the best vocals in the Death business. Torture Killer carries a bit more weight than Six feet Under with duel guitars and a more thunderous European drumming. This is one of the heaviest Death songs ever, and I've been around forever. “A Funeral for the Masses” pounds right in with more heavy rhythm and melody and Chris' unmistakable growl. Barnes and Jari Laine are one of the most lethal combo's ever! “Multiple Counts Of Murder” picks up the speed, staying extremely tight and Barnes' rip out your eyes and rape the eye sockets of your bloody corpse lyrics are still the best that pure Death has ever had to offer. But then, he is followed closely by Jari, the only other person I've ever heard that even comes close to the Barnes form of sickness. Real close! “Obsessed with Homicide” surely proves Jari's worth and skill in songwriting, musically and lyrically. Chris must be beaming with pride!!! There is not a weak point on this cd at all. Critics say it's Six Feet Under from their better days, but after a few listens, you'll realize that this is NOT Six Feet Under. This is TORTURE KILLER!. “Sadistic” is a speedy, heavy driving force with sadistic Barnes vox and lyrics. “Cannibal Gluttony” is another fast, hard driving, heavy ass song by Jari that just pounds you into the dust. Jari writes some of the heaviest rhythms I've ever heard. “I Killed You” is another Barnes classic with other guitarist, Thomas Karrpinen, writing the music. This is some heavy ass shiiiaaattt!!!! This is the best Death talent coming together that I've ever heard. “Heading Towards The Butchery” and “A Violent Scene Of Death” continue the slaughter and let's not forget to mention the pounding bass and kick ass drumming throughout. Some awesome cover art by Wes Benscoter rounds out this masterpiece.

All in all, I'd like to say that this is one of the best Death Metal albums I've ever heard. Chris Barnes seems to always get more criticism than he deserves, but let me tell you, he is the icing on the cake for this awesome dream come true of a band and will escort them to the top of the Death Metal food chain.

note: 9/10

Tracklist

Swarm!
Forever Dead
A Funeral For The Masses
Multiple Counts Of Murder
Obsessed With Homicide
Sadistic
Cannibal Gluttony
I Killed You
Heading Towards The Butchery
A Violent Scene Of Death

Line-up

Chris Barnes – Vocals
Jari Laine – Guitars
Tuomas Karppinen – Guitars
Kim Torniainen – Bass
Tuomo Latvala – Drums