A cult album among cult albums, 1989's
Storm Alert was the only full-length release by ultra-obscure Texas thrashers
Torture, and its sizzling combination of indie-thrash brutality, technically advanced arrangements, and proto-death metal leanings provides an evocative snapshot of one of heavy metal's key transitional periods. Much like countless similar second-tier thrash talents (
Infernal Majesty, Possessed,
Artillery, etc.),
Torture were being gradually surpassed by the new generation of true death metal bands (
Death,
Sepultura,
Obituary, et al.), but their only real sin was being part of a movement that had grown too crowded for its own good. After all, for all intents and purposes, songs like "Ignominious Slaughter" and "Enter the Chamber" were perfectly suitable for mosh-pit consumption, while the very amusing "Slay Ride" managed to skewer Frosty and dozens of kiddies on the pitchfork of Satanic intentions -- fun, fun, fun! Then there are drawn-out compositions like "Terror Kingdom," "Deceiver," and the title track, which, though not quite of a
Metallica-like caliber, are just as musically accomplished (though rarely as melodic) as contemporary thrash epics by
Flotsam & Jetsam or
Dark Angel. All in all, they helped make
Storm Alert a very solid and entertaining thrash album, recommended for more-than-casual enthusiasts of the genre. [Both
Torture and the now long out of print
Storm Alert were unexpectedly revived in 2004, with the former assembling a new lineup for a few special shows, and the latter remixed and enhanced with a trio of new cuts: an orchestral intro, a new 11-minute prog-thrasher titled "Dwell into Surreality," and a second part for the "Whips" theme.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia