TORMENTA is a three-piece instrumental prog-metal band from in and around Paris, France. No really… we're not making that up. Taking a page or two from MASTODON when it comes to sound production and the combination of old- and new-school influences, these cats push it to the limit with more exploration than an Indiana Jones marathon. Opener "Mirages" is chock-full of math metal flare and at its zenith has near-black metal ferocity. The next track, "Collision," is crushing metal at first but then gives way to clean guitar and severely hypnotic looping arpeggios. However, it's track three, "Fièvre Et Calculs Morbides," where these guys are the most all-over-the-place. It begins with the flashiness of 80s thrash but transitions into some spacey VOIVOD-esque stuff, then some emotive bluesiness and finally smashes through with blast beats a-plenty. Finally, the riffs of "Le Retour De La Noyée" are among the most dizzying and crushing on the whole EP… plus, you gotta dig the e-bow at the end!

Yep… four tracks, just over 18 minutes, and outstanding display of effort shown from beginning to end. It's not clear whether these guys are intentionally an instrumental act or they just haven't found a singer they like yet, but thus far it doesn't sound like anything's missing. In fact, both the geezers still mourning the break-up of KONG and the kids who are waiting for the next release from BARONESS should find TORMENTA to be quite a pleasurable experience.

- Cardona

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/tormenta666

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