Excruciator’s Album is Solid, but Still Hungry

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, death-thrashers Excruciator have released their first album, “Devouring” to the masses of metal heads via “Heavy Artillery Records.” Filled with good riffs, killer drumming and ballsy vocals the album is decent, but lacks originality at times.

The first three tracks have great intros, but have the problems of generic riffs that have been heard before. They sound fine, but are not very memorable as the standard verse/chorus/solo formula is used and the riffs sound very cliché’. The vocals are alright, but sometimes sound too much like some of their influences.

The fourth song, “Hunter Killer” starts to pick the album up with a beefy chorus and some better riffs coming out from nowhere.

The album doesn’t really start to take off until the mid-point. The song “Destruction,” as short as it is, is exactly that as it contains great vocals, superb drum work, pissed-off vocals and a great riff that makes you finally start to really bang your head. It is a great track and an excellent homage to their heroes and thrash legends, Destruction.

“Eviscerator” is another great song with a sick riff played around the Egyptian scale. A great nod to Kreator, Destruction, Sodom and Demolition Hammer rolls in with some nice off-time shrieks from guitarist/singer Chris Birkley sure to get your fists going.

“Wretched” and “Nuclear Exmortis” are two more great tracks pumped with adrenaline and madness. These two are sure to go over great with crowds as well as the final track “Metal Forces”, which features a great groove and an awesome solo. “Metal Forces” is a great mix of Kreator and Exodus and is the best possible song to close this album with.

All in all, Excruciator’s debut album “Devouring” is a fine debut that starts off a little sluggish, but then pulls itself together for a fantastic thrash assault. Not everything is incredible as some songs fall into the “generic” category, but a good majority of the album really shows a lot of talent and potential for a great sophomore release from this band. It may not make it’s way to every headbanger’s collection but it is definitely worth a listen.