For as much of a love/hate relationship I have with the so-called OSDM revival (similar to my love/hate relationship with the so-called NWOTHM scene), I’m always open to exploring new bands within the niche. Granted, today’s band isn’t exactly “new”. They’ve been around since 2012, and their latest full length happens to be their third. However, considering I’ve never explored their back catalog, they’re new to me, and that’s what matters because it’s my site, even if some of you in the comments tend to forget so from time to time.
Torture Rack is a northwest US based death metal supergroup, featuring members of bands that I’m more than familiar with. Vocalist/bassist Jason and guitarist Tony play in the bleak, barbaric death squad known as Witch Vomit. Drummer Seth also plays for filth-mongers Cemetery Lust and Nekro Drunkz. Guitarist Pierce Williams, who plays on this album but just recently left the fold, also holds down the beat for bastard sons of Morbid Angel, Skeletal Remains. Together, these 4 mutants unleash some downright bloodthirsty death metal on their latest outing, Primeval Onslaught.
Upon first listen, it’s impossible to ignore the similarities between Torture Rack and early Cannibal Corpse. This band absolutely nails the grotesque nuances of upstate New York’s finest circa ’91, and surprisingly does so without coming off as a dime-a-dozen clone like certain others. I’d usually take this opportunity to mock said clones, but I’m turning a new leaf folks (until the next time I feel petty). Besides, this review isn’t about them; it’s about Torture Rack. Chockful of grizzly riffage, gut-wrenching vocals, and unpredictable tempo changes, cuts like “Ceremonial Flesh Feast”, “Forced from the Pit”, and “Impalement Storm” recall an era when Bob Dole warned of the evils of death metal and Chris Barnes wasn’t a living meme.
The riffs throughout this release groove and slam harder than a bludgeoning hammer, but don’t confuse this for a “groove” or “slam” release; this monster is pure death delivered meat and potatoes style with a side of mindless knuckle-dragging lunacy that such barbaric music needs to convey its purpose. As the album progresses, it grows further demented. Explosive slabs of violence like “Victims of Inquisitors” and “Descent to Infernal Chasms” channel the primitive vulgarity of Autopsy and Impetigo, while the short and anything but sweet “Morning Star Massacre” and “Fucked by Death” (the title says it all) kick you in the teeth in all their twisted deathpunk glory.
Seldom does an album live up to its name the way Primeval Onslaught does. I also must hand it to the band for knowing when to say when. At just a little over 26 minutes, this album gets the job done and then some. If it were 30 minutes, or heaven forbid even 40 minutes long, there’s a good chance it could’ve overstayed its welcome, becoming a tad one-dimensional and repetitive. Lucky for us, it didn’t. If you’re looking for some death metal to raise the dead, go to your local cemetery and blast Primeval Onslaught…or don’t. We really don’t need a Night of the Living Dead scenario.
7 out of 10
Label: 20 Buck Spin
Genre: Death Metal
For fans of: Cannibal Corpse, Autopsy, Broken Hope