I don't know about you, but before SEPULTURA and SARCOFAGO came to the scene in the late eighties, Brazil was not a country that you would look at when it came to when looking for quality Heavy Metal. It didn't matter which Metal genre you were listening to. But since the two bands mentioned were allowed to cross their country's borders, Brazil has proven itself to be a very fruitful country for Thrash Metal bands. Another one of those that have been around for a long time, 1990 to be exact, is TORTURE SQUAD. "Devilish" is their ninth studio album, and they also have five live albums under their belt. The band hails from São Paulo, and the current lineup has been active since 2015. So, seeing as they have a lot experience playing together for such a lengthy period of time, they should know what they are doing.

I know that I did name TORTURE SQUAD a Thrash Metal band, but thankfully they also know how to diversify their sound. The ranges they come up with are from extremely fierce ("Hell Is Coming") to using almost doomy parts (as in "Sanctuary"). But they also will not shy away from AC/DC inspired rock (like they do on "Warrior"). They even have a (well done) power ballad with "Find My Way". That is what makes "Devilish" into a very pleasant experience whilst listening to it. It has enough variety to keep your mind occupied, your ears happy, your neck muscles lean and your feet moving/tapping. That in itself is quite a feat when you consider that TORTURE SQUAD has been a band for some 33 years.

Instead of repeating themselves time and time again, the people in TORTURE SQUAD have opted to widen their horizon, to broaden their spectrum. It prevents the current members from getting bored with the material they have released so far, and gives them quite some scope when deciding what to write, play and record. Now and in the future that will give them the room and freedom to explore where they will end up without relinquishing their Thrash Metal roots. In my eyes and ears TORTURE SQUAD are on the right track to ensure themselves a bright future, and in "Devilish" they have produced just the right kind of album. Therefore I can only conclude that the Thash Metal community has another fine example of an album to add to the already extensive list of rather good ones. Well done TORTURE SQUAD and "Devilish".