The new wave of retro-thrash metal is one of those trends that many bands want to be a part of, but only a handful are truly capable of pulling it off.  Naturally, with the glut of bands playing this style, originality is at a premium and too often, many of them sound the same.  That brings us to the Portland, OR quartet known as Excruciator. 

The Rose City has been really good of late when it comes to metal bands, mostly on the doom metal end of the spectrum, so the fact that a thrash metal band is attempting to make its mark sounds a little surprising in that respect.  Not surprising is that Excruciator is on Heavy Artillery Records, which has steadily gained a reputation for housing traditional/thrash metal bands.  With that in mind, Excruciator hopes to make a good first impression with their debut Devouring.

For the most part, Excruciator adheres to the philosophy of keeping things simple, which has both strengths and weaknesses.  First, the good: Devouring is nothing flashy, the way good thrash metal is supposed to be, complete with songs about Satan, sex, and booze.  The most obvious problem however, is that with the simple approach comes the likelihood that the listener won’t be able to get the album on the first, or even second or third listen.  The music is actually quite competent, as songs such as “Disciples of Menace” and “Eviscerator” proves, with driving guitars and vocals that invoke memories of the original thrash metal bands.  However, there just simply isn’t the one hook that can truly reel in a listener and keep them there.  This is owed more to the fact that Excruciator doesn’t take many risks on Devouring, a development that is usual for bands trying to find their identity like Excruciator.  With a running time of just over 36 minutes, Excruciator doesn’t leave much for anything outside of getting their sound out to the listener. 

Excruciator hasn’t proven anything yet, and as their debut Devouring proves, that seems to be fine for now.  The foundation on which the band bases their music is good, and they certainly have the talent to carry it to a higher level.  Now that they have their feet wet with Devouring, it is up to them to go for more or end up like the countless other bands that fade into obscurity.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Devouring the Flesh of My Master
2.  Skulls of the Abyss
3.  Disciples of Menace
4.  Hunter Killer
5.  Destruction
6.  Eviscerator
7.  Wretched
8.  Nuclear Exmortis
9.  Metal Forces

Total playing time:  36:16

Release Date: August 2, 2011
Label: Heavy Artillery Records

Excruciator - Devouring

Reviewer: Peter

July 30, 2011