Review: “Necronomisongs” by Torrefy

Hailing from Victoria British Columbia Canada, Torrefy are a five piece who have taken an unorthodox approach in creating their sound. Since 2011 their sonic abrasions can be best described as a Frankenstein’s Monster, stitching together elements to build something they like to call Blackened Speed Death Thrash. In doing so their cryptic writings have always had a uniquely powerful energy, so it’s little wonder that their fourth album “Necronomisongs” is in the long awaited and highly anticipated columns, especially considering it’s been four years since their last burnt offering “Life is Bad“. Mastered by Brad Boatright (Pig Destroyer, Twitching Tongues, Unleash The Archers) at Audiosiege having been recorded by the band alongside Cody Baresich (Yellow Springs, Pestis, Altered Dead) who later mixed at Circle A Studios, the new record is adorned by cover art from Blackstory…

…and comes to life with howling plague winds emanating from the throat of vocalist John Ferguson as “Of Wind and Worm” takes shape. His harsh vocals are the roar of a banshee like demon over electrifying lead guitars from Adam Henry that ascends into a face melter of a solo all within the first 90 seconds. Extending that out in sublime fashion, the track hits ramming speed quickly with bursts of blast bleats from Daniel Laughy, the old school bass sound prominent in the mix and a nod to the likes of Voivod. The shroud of oppressive darkness the band create is like a silk veil, rich in depth and texture but pure evil none the less and continues into the hammer blow of “Street Reaper“. Another cut laced with impressive lead guitar work, here the riffs evolve from fast and lose into something with more technicality about it, the band demonstrating musicianship and creativity of the highest order. The vocals are as ferocious as the lyrical narrative is black and the frenzied assault on the senses seemingly knowing no bitter end. Slowing things down for the nightmarish tale that is “Corpseback Rider“, the quintet pull out all the stops by offering up something that has the old school stylings of storytelling bands like Iron Maiden while having a distinctive cutting edge. Roots in Traditional Heavy Metal are obvious at points, those solid foundations built upon to create a monument to Misanthropy in with an undeniable verve and swagger.

A meandering melodic introduction adds a sense of deep melancholy with Scandinavian roots to “Arachnomancer” before bursting into flame in true Black Metal style and the drums and guitars are met with the force of Ferguson’s savage vocals. A glorious pomp and circumstance follows as the riffs fly in all directions, the musicianship reaching the heights of classical music before another jaw dropping solo cuts like a hot knife through butter. A final onslaught in unadulterated Black Metal returns the listener back to the sounds of the start of the track in wrap around fashion, the band clearly capable of turning their hand to anything and pulling a rabbit out of the hat. An old school bass heavy Thrash cut is a majestic change of direction with “Enslaved New World” which would make for an obvious comparison to bands like Vektor if it wasn’t for those scalding vocals. A couple of moments of intertwining lead guitar are the absolute Chef’s Kiss and it has to be said that if this cut had appeared in 1982 Torrefy would have been the size of Slayer by now. The bloodlust continues with “Nature Vs Torture“, another ripper of an electrified Thrash cut but this time with a more thought provoking lyrical narrative. It’s one of those where if you want to pick up the lyric sheet for close examination with a magnifying glass (staying out of direct sunlight) then there is more to enjoy here than just the music. However it’s not forced upon you, you could simply headbang along oblivious to the neck snapping odyssey and the rich dark melodies of the final moments of this one are something really special.

A sinister opening passage is a warning about what is in store as “Apex Shredatorr” rises from the black depths with epic majesty, a masterpiece of technical riffage delivered at the tempo of the damned. A non-stop crushing riff infestation with the appetite of a colony of termites, axe wielding duo Ben Gerencser and Adam Henry waste no time in turning your brain into sawdust in amazement at their abilities. What’s incredible about it is that there is always a measure of control so you never have any moments where they are simply showing off to the detriment of the songs. Instead everything fits perfectly like the glove on the hand of the serial killer who stalks in the night in search of another victim. Everything has been made to sound so damned effortless that you know considerable time was spent in the rehearsal space to nail everything and it goes without saying it was time well spent. Once more with feeling? “Total Perspective Vortex” ensures we can use the cliché that the record is all killer no filler as the band land the knock out punch like a prize fighter. Riffs flow from calloused hands as fretboards smoulder, Ferguson leading a quest for meaning in the endless darkness of space, his larynx threatening to revoke its warranty at any given moment [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Of Wind and Worm
2. Street Reaper
3. Corpseback Rider
4. Arachnomancer
5. Enslaved New World
6. Nature Vs Torture
7. Apex Shredatorr
8. Total Perspective Vortex

“Necronomisongs” by Torrefy is out 27th September 2024 and available over at bandcamp.