From Bandcamp, “TORSO is back with third full-length, “Annihilation Day.” A culmination of everything that came before, this album is TORSO’s most focused and ferocious statement yet. Fusing the lo-fi horror grit of debut “A Crash Course in Terror,” the snarling energy of sophomore album “Brain Cells,” and adding layers of thrash, black metal and NWOBHM. The riffs are sharper, the mood darker, the vision clearer. “Annihilation Day” is TORSO’s first concept LP. Set on January 1st, 1984, it tells the twisted tale of a small-town university campus invaded by an escaped madman and ex-student on prom night. The town’s fate lies in the hands of two girls, Rita and Christine…and all hell breaks loose!

The album has four songs, and “The Halls Run Red” is first. It comes out of the gates with a light electronic sound, and you can feel the pulsing. They talk about the murders that occurred in 1984. A charge of NWONHM leads the way, but there are also some Punk, Thrash, and Black Metal elements. The riffs are sturdy, and there is a distinct “fuck you” quality to their sound. “Satanic Nirvana” features some visual qualities to go along with the music, and it’s like you can view the story unfolding. The riffs are heavy, and the sound energetic. The keep the sound alive with fervor, and a steady riff hand, and the bass notes keep the lower end full.

“Blast Furnace” begins with spacy keyboard notes, some other electronica, and a whole lot of tension. It’s as if the killer is on the move, but you won’t encounter him until he plunges the knife in your flesh. There are some Industrial elements here also, with the way the repeated riff sound like metal clanging on metal. “Show Your Face” is the final act of depravity. The riff has a descending pattern, mirroring the plunge into darkness and death that is central to the song. Thick bass notes combine with a catchy riff, and you can’t help but bang your head along with them.  This was an excellent album. The band combined several different styles of metal together, stirred them hard until evaporated, and rode them forward on a bloody wave, with body parts in toe.