Tourniquet Where Moth And Rust Destroy CD

TOURNIQUET - "Where Moth And Rust Destroy" CD '03 (Metal Blade, US) - Just when I was wondering when, if ever, a real true-blooded METAL album was going to come along and totally blow me away again, I get an email from my buddy Peacedogman about a new TOURNIQUET release. Having gotten into the band's last album famously, then going back investigating their back catalog, I was at the record store the day this was released. I walked outside, stuck it in my van's player & immediately was flattened! Think how sharp, heavy & innovative WARDOG's "A Sound Beating" was, all the while being as catchy & a**-kicking as power/thrash can get? Remember the mixture of memorability & brutality that was Slayer's "Hell Awaits?" That's the kind of feeling I get from this latest & best release from TOURNIQUET, a band that has to be one of the best kept secrets this side of the Coca Cola formula. Seriously, here's a band with several records out on Metal Blade in the USA, including this new one that smokes practically everything with the word "metal" attached to it and...uh...well....I don't exactly see these guys on the cover of any of the so-called newstand metal mags. Hmmm....come to think of it, TOURNIQUET is about as uncommercial as you can get these days. They can actually play their instruments & darn well, they write lengthy, involved metal songs mostly in the 7 min range & yet none are boring and ALL feature guitar solos. Not exactly radio or college fodder, but perfect for this page and anybody who is blown sky-high by fantastic heavy music. A few things stand out even further about TOURNIQUET on this devastating release. True, there is blinding musical complexity...I've never heard another band go from sounding like Angel Witch to Cryptic Slaughter to Rush, all in the space of about a minute, all while still remaining totally catchy. But there is also a very unique lyrical direction here, drawing heavily on ideas from the Old Testament & a respectful & intelligent religious feel, without being the least bit preachy (sorta the way Trouble used to be...uh, hold that thought). There is also tremendous individual talent here, Ted Kirkpatrick for one, a drummer on a scale with the best of Dave Lombardo or Bill Ward & at the same time, this dude also wrote this amazing music & played all the rhythm guitar parts (on a '69 SG thru '71/'72 Orange Amps, no less!). Then dig the rampaging bass work of Steve Andino to the mix, and then add in the vocal chameleon of Luke Easter. Truly, this guy goes from early Hetfieldian roaring to nearly Tom Gattis-like-throatsmanship in the drop of a hat & it all makes sense. Do you want more?! Sheesh, you people are a demanding bunch, aren't you!? Ok, then, let me state that Marty Friedman (yes, THAT Marty Friedman) steps in as a guest to lace every song but 2 with long, snaking, death-defying leads & on that remaining pair (remember the past reference), Bruce Franklin of Trouble steps in to wail! This is an amazing metal album and one that is ripping it's way to the upper echelons to make 2003 yet another banner year for music. With that, I think I'll go play my axe...You see, TOURNIQUET is currently auditioning guitar players & I think I'll send a tape in...yeah, after I've practiced about 20 more years to learn one of these amazing songs! Wow, what an album!Ray Dorsey / Chaos Realm

Audio Mixer: Bill Metoyer.

Recording information: Wisconsin (09/2002-10/2002).

Tourniquet includes: Marty Freidman (guitar); Bruce Franklin.

Personnel: Bruce Franklin, Marty Friedman (guitar); Ted Kirkpatrick (dulcimer, drums); David Bullock (violin).