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