SEVERE TORTURE Sworn vengeance Review

SEVERE TORTURE (Ned) – Sworn vengeance
CD 2007 – Earache Records
10 tracks – 36’02
Rated: 7/10
SEVERE TORTURE is among the best brutal death metal band actually who established itself in the European scene thanks to its hardworking and intense touring. The two first albums follow the path of CANNIBAL CORPSE in terms of imagery but also in terms of brutality. The third album I reviewed in PEZ#3 shows a different approach of SEVERE TORTURE, still brutal but with a more melodic approach both musically and vocally(nothing gay, don’t worry!) but the band probably wanted to avoid a copy of the previous releases. This fourth album is a logical continuation but the band goes back to some brutal stuff you could find on the previous releases, maybe even more technical. The band tried to develop the dark side of its music, first visually with its artwork (bye bye to blood and guts, SEVERE TORTURE is more into death by its symbolical side) and then musically by the use of harmonies(listen to the final instrumental “submerged in grief”), and that works! The vocals kept the change that occurred in “Fall of the despised” they are sung in an understandable way but with less PESTILENCE alike vocals. SEVERE TORTURE has also a murderous groovy impact that wouldn’t have been denied by CANNIBAL CORPSE (dogmasomatic nausea) or don’t forget that a good song must be catchy even with simple parts or common riffs (“redefined identity” which reminds a mix of old DEICIDE and MORBID ANGEL). Yet again a good album but I think SEVERE TORTURE misses something, I don’t know why but the band hasn’t unleashed its best, even if this release is totally satisfying.
http://www.myspace.com/severetorture