Tormenta  

S/T

Self Released 2008

Torementa represent instrumental music from France.  The style of this trio of talented musicians boils down to progressive metal somewhere along the lines of a heavier Irepress.  The truly interesting aspect of Tormenta is their use of speedy black metal riffs in the midst of their trippy, moody, and sometimes mellow mix.  Mirages begins our experience with Tormenta's debut four song EP.  It starts with a subtle melody whirling around in a disorienting fashion only to burst with sharp snares.  The track constantly shifts and explodes and then collapses only to reveal a menacing and frigid black metal riff flying in out of the darkness.  A sorrowful and hazy melody closes out the track.  Collision is as its name implies a song of violent impacts.  Voivod inspired riffing are the first to hit the listener but are quickly submerged by guitar-work that would give Cynic fits of jealousy.  Fievre Et Calculs Morbides begins with rapidly climaxing finger work that quickly shifts into a stop-and-start set of choppy breaks only to shift back into swirling melody.  The composition then downshifts into doomy riffing accentuated by dissonant notes.  The song closes out with a blinding black metal riff that is all too short.  The EP ends with Le Retour de La Noyee.  Shimmering guitars and acoustic notes interplay within the song's delicate innards and play out until the song fades as if it were a dream.  Tormenta's debut EP is quite an interesting ride for its 18 minute length and each song posses its own identity while maintaining an unity of theme throughout the EP.  And if you enjoyed Irepress but were always looking for something a little heavier and darker then Tormenta are exactly the remedy needed to subdue that fever.