Torturium

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Band(s): Torturium
Label(s): Self-Released
Release Format(s): Digital
Release Year: 2024
Review Date: November 17, 2024
Author(s): FelixS

The first half of the 00’s were definitely Arttu “War Torech” Pulkkinen’s most prolific years, not only did he record the guitars on an impressive part of Satanic Warmaster’s back catalogue but also with his own musical vehicle, Torturium he spawned a good amount of releases. But that came more or less to and end simultaneously around 2006, some years later Pulkkinen resurfaced in Lurk, a not very engaging Death/Sludge formation launched into the world via Doomentia Records and Transcending Obscurity Productions. Black Metal, however, seemed to be clearly passé.

But, Pulkkinen never officially disbanded Torturium and kept in a dead silent slumber for almost two decades. Until now, with ‘Chamber’ the project makes an unannounced and certainly unexpected return. Although I cannot say I have actively been playing Torturium’s back catalogue the last few years, I especially enjoyed the band’s contribution to the split 10” with Ride For Revenge and the split LP with Dead Reptile Shrine, both released in 2006 by Bestial Burst.

Torturium’s previous recordings can be typified by a rather minimalistic and back-to-basics approach to Black Metal in which both the riffs and drums play a rudimentary role to allow the bass to do its rumbling work. Although to some extent each recording sounds different, the musical identity of Torturium has remained the same throughout its entire discography. Depending on your personal taste, you can go for the somewhat rougher recordings like on ‘Black Lunatic Chaos’, the second Torturium long-player from 2006, or the rather more gloomy vibes of the 2005 debut in which the spirit of Burzum clearly haunts.

‘Chamber’ is a bit of a culmination of all those elements. It is predominantly slow and nearing the atmosphere of ‘Misanthropic Angels Burning Winds’, the project’s debut album, but the while the recording quality has definitely improved in the sense of clearness it still has that alluring stripped-down approach. Most remarkable change, however, is to be found in the vocal department. No more mournful howling á la Varg, this time it is more a traditional Black Metal shrieking. Something that fits the riffs and overall song writing a bit better, as ‘Chamber’ clearly has a more distinctly textured guitars sound. ‘Torturium Chamber’ is a good example of the band having one leg in the past with the other standing firmly in the present, presenting itself with the saw grainy guitars but clearly in updated yet still raw overall production.

The raw energy of the old Torturium recordings is still here, but quite obviously Pulkkinen has taken a few steps in his personal development when it comes to song writing and overall perception of making music. It doesn’t only mean that ‘Chamber’ sounds more mature and all-rounded, it certainly makes for another recording well worthy of carrying the Torturium brand. Indeed, after 18 years this is quite an unexpected return, but definitely a more than welcome one.

VM-UNDERGROUND

Extreme Metal Fanzine est. 2012

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Torturium – Chamber

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