SEVERE TORTURE

On 2005's "Fall of the Despised" The Netherlands' SEVERE TORTURE took their U.S. style death metal to a new level, bettering the songwriting and infusing its music with more groove. "Sworn Vengeance" sees the band maintaining that quality level and mixing things up just a pinch more.

Loads of crunchy riffing and a relative amount of variety make "Sworn Vengeance" a death metal keeper for any fan of the style. "Serenity Torn Asunder" will go down as one of the band's staple songs. From the buzz saw riffing to the catchy chorus line of "I must have died a thousand deaths", it is a gem of a death metal track and an immediate SEVERE TORTURE classic. Upping the variety level is "Countless Villains", a controlled, mid-paced track that has the band utilizing more melody in the guitars, the effect one that gives the track a quasi-epic feel. Once you've gotten used to the slower pace though, the chunk ‘n' rattle re-launches with "Dogmasomatic Nausea". Texture and nuance is found in many places as well. Just listen for the (for lack of a better term) "twang" at the end of the main riff during "Fight Something". The solos may not be breathtaking, but are solid and wholly appropriate to the songs. It is those little touches that help freshen up the sound.

Speaking of the sound, the Excess Studios (Holland) production and Hertz Studios (DECAPITATED, VADER) mix gives the album a crispness and clarity that accentuates the crunch. The guest vocal appearances of MISERY INDEX's Jason Netherton and Ché Snelting (ex-BORN FROM PAIN) on "Buried Hatchet", the other album highlight, are a real treat as well. An instrumental track called "Submerged in Grief" ends the album and is a take-it-or-leave-it affair at best. The limited edition version of the disc includes bonus covers of the CRO-MAGS' "It's the Limit" and ENTOMBED's "Eyemaster", both of which are great fun. In a nutshell, "Sworn Vengeance" is another hardy death metal release from SEVERE TORTURE.