Yersinia Pestis

Torchbearer is yet another band from the guitarist and drummer from Unmoored, Solar Dawn, and Incapacity. As well as those members, they also have the vocalist and bassist from Satariel. It is along similar lines of the aforementioned bands death/thrash style of metal, with a few elements of a blacker style of metal. Not that Torchbearer sounds like a clone of those bands, it just goes to show that the musicians are very talented, and execute a lot of fast past riffing and drumming with ease. The vocals sound excellent, usually being a higher growl than most death metal, as well as some screechier black metal influenced vocals here and there. The riffs are solid, most very thrashy, some with a definite death metal feel to them, and there is of course a few of those tromolo picked riffs found within black metal. I wouldnt say that the drums are very thrashy however, mostly blasting like its black metal, or furiously paced death metal. Most excellent though...The songs themselves are fast and aren't very long, and they contain a lot of transition so this cd does not get boring (for me at least). Torchbearer know how to write a good song, no doubt about that, but I personally prefer the style of Incapacity, if that accounts for anything.

This album does nothing new, but there are some fairly high quality moments of superb riffage. If you have heard any of the bands previously mentioned, and enjoy them, then this album might suit your tastes. Likewise, if you have not heard said bands, Torchbearer is a good band to investigate if you are looking for some thrashy/deathy metal, and woudl perhaps like to have it with an added touch of black metal. Standout tracks in my ears are: Pest Cometh, Shorespread God, and Thus Came Dying Unto Kaffa. Well thats it thats all for this review, if the band continues to write music, then perhaps the next album from these guys will be a little better.