Opener "Headless" is a bold declaration that the band isn’t fucking around stinging slap in the face, immediately putting the listener into a pitting mindset. “In The City”, the lead single, and “Unreality” have a thrashy character that, despite its uncompromising attitude, doesn’t lack in musicality. One thing that I really appreciate is that the compositions sound simpler than they actually are. The trickiest part when meddling with different elements from different genres is for a song not to lose its momentum and consequently end up being a dull, monotonous dissonance. “Beyond The Law” has all the elements to qualify as an instant pit hit; soaring riffage, dynamic drumwork and dashing basslines. Oh those basslines. The following couple of tracks, "Total Surrender" and "Hell Realm" -which is also the dystopic third single- appear enrobed in a grungier at times gown and dispersed through a 90's prism, still without compromising their raging edge. Up next is the second single, "Like A Rebel". Ben Cook spits his lyrics with contempt over a facemelting riff, building a bombastic and self-possessed chorus. Easily one of the best tracks on the album.
"Alleys Of My Mind" cuts straight to the chase and flows very very nicely. There's something about this song that really caught my attention and kept me coming back from the first spin but I'm not sure if it's the subtle melody or the "cleaner" singing. Anyway, moving on. No album is complete without a power ballad, right? Right. And if Testament, Pantera, and even Vektor did it, I see no reason why No Warning shouldn't. That being said, "Sanctuary" is an electrifying song packed with a wide range of emotions and a trenchant, almost cathartic vocal performance. "Animal", on the other hand, returns to the aggressive core of the album, with the band adamantly showcasing their thrash metal influences. As we reach the end, "No Influence (From The Outside World)" is definitely the most unpredictable and polarizing song on "Torture Culture", where the melodic guitar adeptly succeeds the eruptive character of the composition on the 02:13 mark. The title track closes the album, making sure it goes out with a bang. There's nothing wrong with making a memorable last impression and the Canadians are positively on the right path, having the listener headbanging to the beat or frantically playing air guitar -or maybe both.
"Alleys Of My Mind" cuts straight to the chase and flows very very nicely. There's something about this song that really caught my attention and kept me coming back from the first spin but I'm not sure if it's the subtle melody or the "cleaner" singing. Anyway, moving on. No album is complete without a power ballad, right? Right. And if Testament, Pantera, and even Vektor did it, I see no reason why No Warning shouldn't. That being said, "Sanctuary" is an electrifying song packed with a wide range of emotions and a trenchant, almost cathartic vocal performance. "Animal", on the other hand, returns to the aggressive core of the album, with the band adamantly showcasing their thrash metal influences. As we reach the end, "No Influence (From The Outside World)" is definitely the most unpredictable and polarizing song on "Torture Culture", where the melodic guitar adeptly succeeds the eruptive character of the composition on the 02:13 mark. The title track closes the album, making sure it goes out with a bang. There's nothing wrong with making a memorable last impression and the Canadians are positively on the right path, having the listener headbanging to the beat or frantically playing air guitar -or maybe both.
This album feels like small shocks down your spine. It’s raw and unpolished, as a hardcore album should be, yet soulful enough to allow the band to continue enriching their legacy. "Torture Culture" is fueled by anger and, if anger is indeed a powerful and a boundless source of inspiration in these times that we live in, one thing is for sure: we haven't seen the last of No Warning yet.
8.5/10
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