Father Joseph, What is wrong with you?
Any thrash band coming out of Brazil will no doubt be compared to the mighty export that is Sepultura and it's subsequent related projects. This would be an injustice to Torture Squad's first release with Wacken Records because it's an album that sits very comfortably with the rejuvenated thrash scene. Although 'Hellbound' neither pushes the boundaries nor stretches the musical wings beyond the realms of thrash, what the band have delivered is a consistent and entertaining slab of metal from start to finish.
The band came over to Europe in 2006 (mainly Germany and Austria) and has supported such renowned acts such as Kreator, Anthrax, Overkill, Exodus and Sepultura themselves. From the first four bands in that list you can automatically guess that Torture Squad have their creative ear rooted in the late eighties. The band are planning a more extensive European tour upon the release of 'Hellbound' and, if you're a fan of thrash and if this album is anything to go by, it maybe worth your while going to see them.
It's not completely mind blowing and there's little that immediately grabs you by the knackers and swings you round the room, you need Machine Head for that. But after a couple of listens the intricate and technical riffery contained within the album start to worm their way into your sub conscious. The main reason for this is the tidy production. It may be heavy and brutal but it's all kept in check, and although not produced by Andy Sneap, it has that slick feel about it, albeit with a little more bottom end.
What we're dealing with is an overall feel of Death Angel mixed with some Sacred Reich and the frantic pace of early Anthrax. The band aren't afraid to mix up blast beats with dose of mid tempo head nodding chugging. In fact track 5 'Chaos Corporation' manages this all in the one song. But this doesn't mean the band are a ten changes a minute bore-a-thon, each song naturally progresses into such changes with frightening ease.
'Man Behind The Mask' could be a thrash classic complete as it is with a priest at confession at the start and 'The Beast Within' is as traditional as you're going get. 'Twilight Of The Mankind' incorporates some tasty acoustic lines and 'The Four Winds' naturally carry this on to the epic 'Hellbound' which any modern thrash band would be proud of writing (fast rhythm guitars and slow drum beats…I love em)
This release took me by surprise. With a name such as 'Torture Squad' and hailing from Brazil, I was expecting a Seps copycat. What I got was a solid thrash album that is getting better on each listen (it's still in my stereo). It's not as good as the Evile album or the new Testament disc, but if thrash is your vice then this could an excellent addition to your collection.