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BRIT METAL MANIACS TORANAGA RETURN TO RELEASE BRAND NEW ALBUM!

By RingMaster Review on July 7, 2013 • ( 1 )

High Rated Yorkshire riff-slingers ‘Toranaga’ are back with their ferocious new full length album ‘Righteous Retribution’ available through all digital outlets on Monday 2nd September. Look out for tour dates, soon to be announced!

‘Toranaga’ were originally formed back in 1988 by Andy Burton (bass), Steve Todd (drums), Mark Duffy (vocals), and Andy Mitchell on guitar. The four piece released their debut album “Bastard Ballads” through independent label Peaceville Records and widespread national reviews and extensive gigging soon followed. The band then played a session for the legendary Tommy Vance on BBC Rock Show, and were invited to open for metal giants Manowar on their UK tour. Soon after Toranaga were snapped up by Chrysalis Records.

The band released their major label debut album ‘God’s Gift’ in the spring of 1990, and again notched up critical acclaim and video airplay with MTV Headbangers Ball and Raw Magazine’s Heavy Metal Channel. Extensive touring throughout the UK and Europe soon followed with the likes of Sabbat, Venom, Saxon, Manowar, Metal Church, Uriah Heep and Annihilator. Regrettably though, the band were not given the chance to develop and grow with Chrysalis, so they parted company at the end of 1991. Internal conflict within the band followed and Andy Burton and Mark Duffy decided to leave the camp and Toranaga disbanded.

However in 2010, Andy Burton decided to pick up the bass again and contacted founding member Steve Todd and Mark Duffy about playing some of the old Toranaga songs, as well as writing and recording new material. With original guitarist Andy Mitchell emigrating to Australia, the band widely auditioned for new guitarists. Shane Haigh and John Rodgers stepped into the fold and have more than filled the void. The chemistry, drive, ambition and friendship is now fully back within the band.

With a renewed vigour and focus, Toranaga marched into the studio to record with Mik Crone at the helm. After eighteen months in the making, the band completed their brand new album, entitled ‘Righteous Retribution’. Twelve songs of colossal heavy metal brilliance flaunting whiplash guitar riffs, commanding vocal lines, and a ballsy rhythm section fill every crevice of the record. The album hits you full force and instantly hammers out frantic drumming and hi-octane powerful riffs to maximum effect. From the mighty ‘Cynical Eyes’ (which is set to be the band’s new video single) to the stomping bite of ‘Prove Me Wrong’ and the engrossing ‘I Play God’, it’s evident that time has only sharpened the band’s creative powers, as they have produced a blistering slice of metal. Now, with no major label to hinder their spark, Toranaga will rise!