Tombstoner are a death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.
Now here’s one I’ve really been looking forward to. 2020’s Descent to Madness was seriously good, and I’ve only grown to love it even more over time. On Victims of Vile Torture, we once again get a feast of old-school death metal, played with a modern edge that incorporates elements of grind, hardcore, groove, and thrash metal. The music combines all of the above elements into a roaringly good collection of tracks.
The promo blurb states that this is for fans of Cannibal Corpse, Dyscarnate, Power Trip, and Gatecreeper, and also mentions the 90s and Machine Head and Napalm Death. This seems about right, and sets the scene well for the well-crafted carnage on Victims of Vile Torture.
The band’s 90s influences shine through strongly across these songs, and it’s almost like hearing a mix of 90s era Machine Head, Testament, Pissing Razors, Konkhra, Skinlab, Cannibal Corpse, and Napalm Death mixed with a modern interpretation of old-school death metal, (you know what I mean).
Tombstoner should have a permanent stall at the Festival of Riffs; Victims of Vile Torture is just loaded with them. Wherever you turn a killer riffs hits you in the face, and you’re grateful for it too. Importantly, these riffs are arranged into enjoyable and satisfying songs. There are plenty of hooks and catchy moments spread around, and some additional good ideas used here and there to add extra spice along the way, some orchestral moments, for example.
Victims of Vile Torture is a damn fine album. It’s nostalgic in a way that most old-school albums aren’t, while also sounding grounded in the here and now.
Just listen.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 