"While the mere mention of 'Swedish death metal' may instantly usher in thoughts of Entombed/Grave copycats, Those Who Bring The Torture maintain a more timeless feel. If any band works as a comparison, the way that they dive into more melodic (without being too melodic) territory feels quite akin towards that of Hypocrisy." - Iron Blood and Death Corporation

May I start out by saying that I am already not impressed. While this is yet another band of Rogga Johansson, a guy who changes band like most of us change our underwear, are we either that lazy or that arrogant that we can't take the time to promote our band? Your level of enthusiasm dictates mine somewhat. When the only representation you have is an outdated Myspace page, allowing no real information, what am I suppose to think? I don't want to hear the "we don't have time because we focus on music" crap. Music, a band, it still requires work. You cannot just assume that your name alone is just so huge that people will just know and buy it or show up when you play. Represent yourself. If you are excited about it, shout it from the rooftops.

Well as I dive right into "Pain Offerings" which is from what I could gather the bands' 6th album I can understand why there is no real representation. "The Hangman and the Hanged" is just a face in the crowd. Nothing stands out as truly remarkable. It's the same ol regurgitated death metal. If you need to stay in your safe zone of predictable Swedish death metal, well, THOSE WHO BRING THE TORTURE is your padded room. Power chord, 2 open palm muted chugs, a steady fast paced kick drum, a slow melodic lead over it, and a raspy growl turns into a grown man screaming as if throwing a tantrum followed up by a low growl grunt, "yeah", then a blast beat. Sure it's the foundation, but damn, the foundation was laid over 20 years ago, let's get to some customized unique accents.

"Reality, Worst Show Ever", what? Is this an attempt at modernism? Aside from the track's title, yet again this is a repeat of a cross between AMORPHIS's first 2 albums and a rip off of the sound DISMEMBER made badass. Maybe due to the resume of the band members, I was expecting a bit more. With all that experience, this is what happened? It's simple, no frills, background music. It's not bad, and if you heard it at a club between bands sets you'd bob your head. This track borderlines melodic and doom in the direction of the guitar melody. It's not going to make you feel empowered, pumped up, or angry. It provides a good pace for a geriatric circle mosh pit.

"Interlude Before the End" was the only track that brought a smile to my face. If not for my two cups of coffee, I woulda slept through this lullaby inducing monotonous bore fest. I believe that THOSE WHO BRING THE TORTURE put about as much effort into "Pain Offerings" as they do promote their band. "Pain Offerings" was released in July of 2018 via Iron Blood and Death Corporation in case you were unaware. The label being the only ones that are doing anything to promote it, likely an attempt to at least break even on their investment.