The Resistance - Torture Tactics

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Do we want to share our 'Torture Tactics' ?

It’s hard to rate this particular release because I have some qualms about it. I’ll give the sole release a three star, although the content is five stars. Let me explain, The Resistance to date have put out an EP and one full length album 'Scars' which was one of the best albums of 2013. This however is six new songs and four older tracks, two from 'Scars' and two from their first EP 'Rise from Treason'.

Now if you’re new to the band this is balls to the wall aggression. The Resistance are In Flames co-founder Jester Stromblad (Ex-In Flames) along with other guitarist Glenn Ljungstrom (Ex-In Flames) and vocalist (At this time anyway... on this recording) Marco Aro (Ex-The Haunted). They formed this new band which was no nonsense Death Metal done the old way, with blasting drums, shredding riffs, emphasis on groove and Marco’s awesome vocals. The songs are also short and to the point. Think early Entombed, Bolt Thrower with fist to the face aggression of Hatebreed.

'Rise to Treason' served as an appetizer to the awesome 'Scars'. Since then Marco Aro has returned to The Haunted which made me very worried because I thought The Resistance’s future may be in jeopardy. Especially since 'Scars' pissed all over The Haunted’s auto pilot return 'Exit Wounds'. Anyway it seems I was worried about nothing as we now have this new EP  /compilation.

As I said earlier if your new to the band this serves well as a starting point but I ask what about us who already love the band? Granted the six new songs are awesome (I’ll get to them in a sec) but the new songs add up to a total of roughly fifteen minutes. Fine, if it’s just an EP but because there is ten songs here it is priced like a full length album and I’m damned if I’m paying full price for fifteen minutes of new music and four songs I already have. Why don't you give us ten new tracks... I don't get it!!!.

On to the new songs, ranging between one and a half and two and a half minutes it doesn’t really take a lot to sum things up. All the songs are heavy as f**k, 'Dead' in particular is a highlight and closing track 'Dying Words' is a slight left turn which is slow, melodic and moody which gives the impression that Jesper may have not have entirely left behind 'The Jester Race' after all. Anyway it’s a bit off an odd release from an amazing band. If you want half hour of full on brutality for gods sake go get 'Scars' for the rest of us this will tie us over nicely until the next album.

Review by Joe Denby 

Check Out! the Video for 'Clearing the Slate' Below...