This is great, a real throwback in so many ways. Now if only the production was terrible and wimpish then we would be firmly back in the days of cassette copies of bands that were getting into the studio but could never be considered mainstream. I blame Napalm Death of course, as their music had such a major impact on everyone around that grindcore moved more into the centre, and wasn’t so terrifying any more. But, in BTK we have a band that are looking back to those days with relish, with naff band name and cover art to boot. Originally coming together in 2007, they were drawn together by fate and stayed together due to their mutual interest in death metal, grindcore and killing, releasing a demo, an EP and two albums.
While touring the last release, the band split, leaving only guitarist Tarquin who according to the press release “was left to stalk the sewers and cesspits of the world, searching through the ranks of the sick and psychotic for those gifted enough to continue his crusade of metal and barbarity. Eventually he found them...Dr. Krauss, an unlicensed ‘surgeon’ with a bloodlust to match his bass playing. Faceless Killer, a barely controllable beast, only content when battering and bruising drum skins or human skin. And Beryl...wide eyed but far from innocent and perhaps the only creature capable of making her bestial band mates uneasy and uncomfortable. Yes, there’s definitely something about Beryl...”
I don’t know what the chances are of these guys making it down to NZ, slim to none I guess, but I’d really like to see what they’re like live. This is grindcore mixed with death metal and oodles of attitude (don’t you love the word “oodles”?). Tarquin may have a name not exactly synonymous with this style of music, but he is no slouch, and with a hard-hitting rhythm section behind him he knows exactly when it is time to riff like a bastard, or when it is time to rip out a solo. Then with Beryl at the front of this, taking her lead from bands like Arch Enemy, this is music that is determined to make an impact. Complete with clips for horror films, this is an album that is nearly thirty years out of date, and all the better for it. For more details visit www.facebook/Basementtorturekillings
