Tortured Demon – Rise Of The Lifeless
Release Date: 2nd June 2023
Label: Self Released
Pre-Order
Genre: Metal, Thrash.
FFO: Machine Head, Killswitch Engage, Testament, Trivium.
Review By: Rob Woodhouse
Tortured Demon are a bunch of young upstarts on a steep upward trajectory right now. Whether it’s breaking stages at Bloodstock or supporting some of the UK’s finest thrash bands, Tortured Demon are making their mark on the UK metal scene.
Rise Of The Lifeless sees the band return with their second album and a tweaked line-up. Bass man Freddie has left to concentrate on his A-levels so in comes Sean Xavier while the guitars have doubled with new fret-wizard Billy Hourigan making the band a four-piece.
After the obligatory grandiose intro fades out, the band erupt into the title track with the crunchiest of riffs and a big Robb Flynn style “Woooooah”. It’s an almighty punch to get this record going and has everything you want from an anthemic opening track with a gritty guitar tone, speedy solo and a thumping dose of attitude.
A screeching pick-slide throws us straight into Virtual Death, and it becomes clear there isn’t going to be much chance to catch your breath with this album. Jacob Parker barks out the lyrics with an audible scowl, and there’s groove for days behind those riffs.
Tortured Demon are a pleasant throwback in style. Mixing up lots of nods to the Roadrunner Records bands of the 1990s/early 2000s. They combine the industrial-tinged thrash of early Machine Head, the all-out aggression of Chimaira and some of that youthful vigour that propelled Trivium into the metal stratosphere. That’s a hefty old cocktail of bands, but Tortured Demon are more than worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence.
You may argue that these Manchester lads don’t offer anything new to the table. While that might be a little bit true; they deliver their metal with energy and passion, and their songwriting is certainly on the money. You don’t have to re-invent the wheel to be exciting, and Tortured Demon are more than an exciting prospect at the moment.
This War Will Come To You is a late highlight in proceedings, with a beefy breakdown sure to precede some circle pits on the live circuit, but the whole album is a shining example of a band in a seriously fine form.
If Tortured Demon’s first album, In Desperation’s Grip, showed some real promise of something great, then Rise Of The Lifeless has more than delivered that greatness. There are no limits on how far this band can go in the metal scene, and we’re ready to witness it. Next stop Bloodstock!
(4.5 / 5)
