A band with underground praise and status Severe Torture are figureheads of the Dutch Death Metal scene. My first introduction to them was through their last record Slaughtered way back in 2010. Their first two full lengths are also often highly regarded and it’s obvious to see why, the band’s brand of no messing Death Metal is a formula without failure. The gap between full albums is substantial however, can the band keep that incredible flow up some 14 years later? Let’s see as we dive into Torn From The Jaws Of Death put out through Season Of Mist.

Wasting no time is The Death Of Everything which comes in with classic blistering Severe Torture riffs and guttural vocals. I always view this band as being much like Cannibal Corpse in the sense of verging on the Brutal Death scale. Much like Corpse this track also has plenty of vocal hooks, and that’s something that I think works incredibly well in Death Metal. The energy is retained through Marked By Blood And Darkness, the guitars proving still to be the star of the show, that bass tone too, damn fine. Hogtied In Rope keeps that energy flowing before we’re thrown into the drumming highlights of the album’s title track. It’s yet another memorable hook heavy banger, one which is starting to make me question whether this could be the band’s best album to date? I love the use of frantic riffage throughout this whole release, it really ties each track together into one excellent composition and Christ Immersion is no exception to this rule.

Crossing over to the second half of the album Putrid Remains comes in with yet further memorability and sheer classic Death Metal terror. The sound of which borders between OSDM and a more modern sound, yet still true and proper to the craft of Death Metal. Giving off some further drumming fury comes The Pinnacle Of Suffering, fast paced, barbaric, circle pit inducing Death Metal brilliance. Similarly proving circle pit fodder is Through Pain And Emptiness, which does appear to lose a little memorability to its sheer destructive force for most of the track, that said the melodic solo is a welcome touch. Those Who Wish Me Dead follows similar trends but with fewer hooks, making it perhaps the album’s only minor misstep, not bad, just not as exciting. Luckily it’s time to get back into the quality riffs with the album’s closer Tear All The Flesh Off The Earth. Which apart from being a stunning title is also a complete rager full of melodic bliss.

Seeing a band return after such a long break between full albums is a pleasure, especially when their efforts prove worth the wait. I’ve often written Severe Torture off as another run of the mill, cookie cutter style Death Metal band. Not bad by any stretch, just generic, plain and simple. I guess in some respects this album is just that, however I will always defend such terms. Just because you’ve eaten the same flavour of crisps before doesn’t mean they’ll be boring next time you know? So if you like your Death Metal with no fuss, full brutality and a healthy dose of catchiness then what are you waiting for? Torn From The Jaws Of Death is a ripper!

(9/10 George Caley)

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https://severetorture.bandcamp.com/album/torn-from-the-jaws-of-death