Reviewed by Si Bibby

This is the debut release of a band who seem to have "Popped outta nowhere". Tourniquet are signed to Intense Records, the home of Deliverance, and to fill the producer's chair they enrolled Roger Martinez, lead vocalist from Vengeance Rising. Looking at the photos of the band, they certainly don't look the part of a run-of-the-mill, gory thrash band. We can see them parading their nice hairdos and stylish(?) costumes. But the music is a different kettle of porridge! The album consists of ten songs one of which is an instrumental called "Whitewashed Tomb". For me the stand out track has to be "Ark Of Suffering" which, put in perfect English, "Does mi 'ead in". The album as a whole has a classic thrash/doom feel to it, with chord progressions and double leads nasty enough to pickle your guinea pig. The only touchy subject is the sometimes overpowering vocals - you either hate them or live with them. Personally I don't mind them although sometimes they grate. 'Stop The Bleeding' is not easy to listen to but packed with plenty of surprises and qualities not often found in much of today's mindless thrash. Very nice indeed.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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