A hard-hitting trio from Portugal, TORN FABRIKS has a bit of an underwhelming name, but they make strong and crisp thrash metal. Also, their label is called Firecum Records, and how can that not be interesting? The opening song, "Respect", introduces itself with a clean arpeggio sequence and segues into a classic pedal tone riff. It's a strong opener with good galloping drums and meaty riffs, but I like "Idiocracy Layers" more as a song and an album opener. The riffs are more unique right from the start, and the chugging guitar screams headbanging. The repeated choruses at the end, which I usually don't like as a songwriting device, don't bother me precisely because that twisty, slightly technical riff is so cool.

The ever-moving, thunderous and venomous riffage continues on "Felt the Treason", which oscillates between razor sharp melodic riffs and crushing gallops with alarming fluidity. The sharpness of the production means every chord pops during the choruses. Similar intensity permeates "Bring Me Down". It's fairly short as are all the songs on this album (at 6 songs, it is about 20 minutes long), but wastes no time dazzling the listener with breakneck riffing and leaps across the fretboard. The break leading to the solo got me so pumped I made a few typos from trying to mosh and type at the same time. It ends as suddenly as it begins, which feels appropriate.

The album ends with the more moderately-paced "Evil8", which because of its tempo can develop the riffs and also tend toward a more melodic direction. And the vocals fit better at this tempo than they do at faster tempos; in my opinion having more power and gravitas. "Evil8" is a good old-fashioned thrash anthem in the vein of EXODUS or METALLICA, a fitting album closer. Overall this was a good release, if a little disappointing lengthwise. I think that as this is a first album it's understandable, but I look forward to having a little more to digest on the next release.