The Unholy Spell

Brazilians death/thrashers Torture Squad were only recently discovered abroad, although they were already pretty popular in their native country. They made a big splash in the underground with their incredible “Pandemonium” album, released in 2003. That album is all that a thrash or death metal fan would ask for. Speed, riffs, whatever.

“Pandemonium” is like a more brutal, extreme version of this album. “The Unholy Spell” has the same central idea of its successor: complex songs, speed, variety in the riffage and catchiness. This one is just a little bit less mature, but this won’t hurt this album in nothing. One can trace a comparison between Torture Squad and Sadus: There is technique, complexity, but also a whole lot of cool riffs and entertaining value. Exactly like Sadus, the core here is the rhythm guitar (there are few solos here). The death metal riffage is more prevalent here, but the thrash influence is pretty can be easily found in the songs. Listen to the first part of “Spiritual Cancer”, till the vocals to kick in to see how much riffs can they write, without making the songs tiresome or recycled. It’s guaranteed that this is going to please fans of both styles. And also, I need to say, ripping off riffs is not cool but when you go for something like the first riff of a song like “Darkness Descends” that’s passable. Listen to the first one at “Under The Wings of the Empire” and tell me these riffs are different! Just don’t do it again…

The instruments work very well together. Although they aren’t as techinical as Sadus, there are some pretty neat interplay here and interesting songwriting. “Under The Wings of Empire” has a cool fast-slow verse structure. “The Host” has also two excellent fast sections tied together, followed by a midpaced one, which is a riff salad. The title track has one of the coolest metal choruses ever done, consisting of thrash and death riffs, blastbeats and the great duet of both vocalists (the deep growl and the black-metallish shriek). “Reality is the unholy spell! Listen to the final bell!” You can’t help singing along. The chorus for “Area 51” is also very cool. “Warmonger” is also pretty nice and memorable, as anything in this album. The drummer is also worthy of note, never abusing the blastbeats and giving the songs that rush of speed that we all like. Even the bass is audible, and some little fills and solos are also thrown in for more variety.

If you like your thrash or death metal with lots of riffs, variety and of course aggression (not as much as Pandemonium, though) get this album. I'm sure that any track here is worth of your attention.