We have a feeling that maybe 2019 is a year when UK bands will really stir up the world’s metal scene. Already there have been a handful of highly notable and thrilling releases to which you can now add the new Coup de Grâce EP from Devon hailing Torqued. Caged within its dramatic cover sits four tracks of voracious groove metal but tracks as progressively bold and atmospherically ravenous as they are compellingly infectious; all ready to prowl and devour the world.
Consisting of vocalist/bassist Marc Cleave, drummer Kurt Johnson, and guitarist Rimmy Sinclair, Postbridge’s 2016 formed Torqued has already lured strong attention and praise with early tracks and a debut EP, Resurgence, last year. Alongside, their live reputation has only escalated in line with the growth of their sound, the band making plaudit earning appearances at the likes of Bloodstock, The Mosh against Cancer, Amplified, and Rockfest amongst many more over time. Now, such its striking contents, expectations are easy that Coup de Grâce will only inflame both greater attention and acclaim
The EP opens with its title track, Coup de Grâce instantly teasing with a raw sonic lure before it becomes refined into a groove wound temptation within a suggestive electronically woven climate. Even as Cleave’s throat raw incursions emerge and the guitar brings greater threat to its wiring, that initial engaging temptation remains a potent presence. Increasingly predatory with every emerging twist, ravening groove, and rhythmic intrusion, every subsequent trespass echoed in vocal causticity, the track simply gripped and captivated.
The Revelation follows, arising from far off sonic mist in a web of interwoven melodic guitar threads and a rhythmic probing as rapacious as it is controlled. There is a Static-X hue to the track as it develops and blossoms, every breath and second bred in imagination and soaked in drama and though it does not have the same immediate punch and tempestuous impact, it hauntingly grew to eclipse its impressive predecessor.
Described as groove laden heavy metal, The Torqued sound readily embraces various hues, next up Open Wound evidence with its extreme tones and hostile textures coated in the rich allure of grooves and wired in melodic acidity. Further entangled in the dextrous craft of Sinclair’s enterprise the song prowls and preys on ears and senses, seducing both with its sonic intimation and imaginative within an unpredictable landscape before leaving The Darkest Of Shadows to close things up which it does with equally magnetic and enthralling adventure. In an electronically aided background bringing a host of dark and light suggestion, the guitar spins another sonic nexus as rhythms intrude and arouse with their own particular dexterity. Haunting atmospherics continue to as much tease as fear with their caliginous breath around the song’s full carnivorous trespass, it all going to make a song which is maybe not as easily devoured as its companions in some ways but emerges another major highlight from Torqued.
If the band does not quite launch itself on the broadest landscape of metal with Coup de Grâce it can surely only be a matter of time if we take the magnificent EP as the seeds to their future endeavours. No point waiting to see though, Coup de Grâce needs to be and should be your next port of call.
The Coup de Grâce is out now; available @ https://torqued.co.uk/shop/
https://torqued.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/Torquedband/ https://twitter.com/Torquedband
Pete RingMaster 16/04/2019
Copyright RingMaster: MyFreeCopyright
The following groove metal swing of The Anger Inside is just as potently captivating, the track equally a bruising and harassing slab of nu meets death metal soaked rock ‘n’ roll easily and quickly getting under the skin. Apell and Saunders steer the track through ears with sheer power and riveting guile respectively with the sonic cunning and causticity of Falconer and Osbourne similarly stirring and imposing.
The EP swiftly grabbed ears with opener All We Are, the EP’s lead track which does exactly that, leading the release in sound, adventure, and enterprise. As rhythms place a sturdy hand on the senses, guitars cast a dextrous web of riffs and sonic endeavour, a formidable fusion quickly commanding attention. Things relax a touch as Underdown’s vocals add their melodic tones, the song hitting a lively stride inflamed with pop punk boisterousness. Carter’s bold swings drive the captivating encounter with relish, the guitars shaping its body for the equally alluring vocals with Firmin providing potent backing to Underdown’s lead.
Angel Circuit Engaged opens up with its title track and swiftly offers up a multi-scented breeding, grooves and rhythms uniting to impose temptation. Whyard’s vocals are just as alluring as too the warm flirtatious lure of the keys, each matching the instinctive liveliness of a song just as eager in its calmer repose. Inviting from the off and more rousing with each play, and featuring Sol Philcox-Littlefield on guitar, it makes for a highly enjoyable opener.
Raincoats & Other Short Stories first embraces ears with Raincoats, a song which immediately got under the skin as the body bounced to its catchy lure of voice and piano. Gray’s fingers stroll over keys with smiling eagerness, his tones just as vibrant and enthused and almost grinning as they welcome the subsequent full spirited swing of brass and the summery sparkle of keys. The flames of the chorus add another virulent hue to the inescapably catchy encounter and thrilling start to the EP.
The Corrupting of the Revolution is the latest venture into their unique sound, an overspread of the senses cast by four blatantly individual tracks. It opens up with Velvet Crush and instantly entangles ears and appetite in a splatter of mercury hued electronics. Guitar cast smog soon washes through the potent lure; it in turn swiftly joined by the distinct tones of G.T. as a haunting atmospheric air rises. That growing sonic enterprise of guitar is simultaneously matched in craft and imagination by the startling twists and almost psychotic prowess of HouFei’s keys, they an adventure in their own right in a riveting first track.