TORTURE RACK hailing from Portland, Oregon were formed in 2012. The Death Metal outfit released so far one EP and two full-length albums. Their third album "Primeval Onslaught" was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Seanan McCullough and Joe Anderson at Helvete Sound Portland, Oregon. The album has a length of about 27 minutes, and it was released via US Death and Doom Metal specialists 20 Buck Spin.

The album starts with a mixture of mid-tempo and fast Death Metal attack. "Ceremonial Flesh Feast" is a constant back and forth of different tempi and rhythms. The track is driven by classical Death Metal guitar riffing and growling vocals ranging around the low end of the guttural range. Although "Ceremonial Flesh Feast" is a short affair, there is still time for a contributing lead guitar solo at the end of the track. "Decrepit Funeral Home" starts with a short drum part, transitioning into a head-banging mid-tempo part of powerful and dark guitar riffing. A crunching bassline introduces the fast verse part with simple and direct riffing, followed by the mid-tempo chorus part. The short but contributing lead guitar solo leads into the chaotic part of the track. "Decrepit Funeral Home" was uploaded on YouTube by the label and the link is provided below. "Forced From The Pit" starts with a short introductory part at mid-tempo driven by the main riff of the track. The verse and chorus parts are driven by a series of tempo and rhythm changes, while the break is the slowest and doomiest part of the track. Highlight is the lead guitar solo near the end of the track. Unfortunately, the song sounds a bit unfinished as it is slowly fading out.

While "Morning Star Massacre" is a short mixture of mid-tempo and up-tempo with a playing time of less than a minute, "Victims Of Inquisitors" starts frantic before transitioning into a stomping rhythm for the verse part. Characteristic for the sound on the album are the many twists in rhythm and "Victims Of Inquisitors" is not the exception. The song covers almost the whole range of different rhythms and highlight is a SLAYER-esque lead guitar solo near the end of the song. "Bone Share" has a strong blast-beat driven start leading to insanity and chaos for most of the playing time. The riffing is very simple and direct and drives the track forward. However, despite the cool riffs, "Bone Share" sounds a bit one-dimensional as it ends in an endless loop of riffing. "Fucked By Death" is a short and direct track driven by relentless drumming, a crushing bass, and another cool lead guitar solo at crazy speed.

"Impalement Storm" has a grim mid-tempo start before seamlessly transitioning into a blisteringly fast verse part. This is a short episode only as most of the track is played at a stomping rhythm with spine-chilling riffing and melodies. The next episode of insanity is another excellent lead guitar solo. "Descent Into Infernal Chasm" starts with a blast-beat thunderstorm followed by a verse part at head-banging rhythm. It does not take long before the trademark twists in rhythm kick-in and dominate the track. The riffing is direct and effective and drives the track alongside the drumming and the vocals. The album finishes with "Rotting Insignificance" and it sums up the album pretty well: an ever-changing tempo and rhythm and the sound relies on the riffing and the vocal melodies. The only piece that is missing is another contributing lead guitar solo. "Rotting Insignificance", however, is a good way to close the album.

TORTURE RACK deliver a decent Death Metal album. "Primeval Onslaught" represents what Death Metal is about: speed, aggression, and a grim sound. The sound of TORTURE RACK on the album is mainly driven by a simple guitar riffing and plenty of twists in rhythm and pace. Highlights were the lead guitar solos. The vocals are a bit one-dimensional and could have had more versatility. The songwriting was not always at its best, it occasionally lacked maturity. The album is well produced. Death Metal fans will like the album and will enjoy the lives shows of TORTURE RACK, although "Primeval Onslaught" is not likely to become a Death Metal highlight in 2023.