TOURNIQUET - GAZING AT MEDUSA (Pathogenic Records 2018)

For Johonny González

For the protagonist band in this analysis as is TOURNIQUET, 30 years of constant activity does not happen every day, and we have witnessed a constant evolution and changes in its line up since their beginnings and to this day his mastermind, virtuoso drummer Ted Kirkpatrick has managed to keep the ship afloat in the company of his partner, guitarist Aaron Guerra.

The big surprises on this album are made up of high caliber musicians in the metal scene worldwide. They give a very interesting turn to the Tourniquet sound. Interesting names like Tim "Ripper" Owens on vocals, Chris Poland on guitars (much loved and remembered in his early days with Megadeth), the versatile Deen Castronovo on vocals, have managed to meet the expectations of fans from start to finish from the hand of Aaron Pace in the mastering process.

In each track of the album Ted makes a clear reference to some passages of the Bible, and that throughout this review we will show.

If you want to begin with something powerful, "Sinister Scherzo" is a punch to the face!
Striking start for the album, which was the second single they presented. Here we listen to a Ripper Owens who takes the reins of the song, and at first sight it seems that all the songs were written for him, keeping the balance between the guitars of Aaron and Chris that divide the solos very much to the style of Judas Priest in a double attack of guitars that with the speed of Ted in drums (who also plays the bass in the whole album) resembles a human metronome perfectly carrying the rhythmic base.
The clear reference of Psalm 40: 3 (Let Him change your song) "Then he put a new song in my mouth, praise to our God. Many will see this, and they will fear and trust in Jehovah. "

Without losing the rhythm arrives "Longing for Gondwanaland" and brings back to our ears similarities to Microscopic View of a Telescopic Realm, and here Aaron and Ripper share the vocal parts, a battle between clean, guttural vocals and high falsettos will be enjoyed in this topic.
Here the reference is to Ephesians 1:10 "To gather all things in Christ, in the dispensation of the fullness of times, even those who are in heaven, as those who are on the earth".

With "Memento Mori", the speed drops a little and the drums take a leading role throughout the theme exploiting the vocal tones that Ripper has (and it is a special reason that he has been the voice of great bands and that throughout of his career he has accumulated experience) giving him an atmosphere of Doom Metal to the Black Sabbath.
Here Ted is inspired in John 11:25 "Jesus said to him: I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he is dead, will live "

"All Good Things Died Here" is pure progression in the style of Tourniquet.
It will make us move our heads from start to finish with that rhythmic guitar in the first minutes of the song, where Ripper takes the reins, but the song varies as we travel this track, with speed in the middle part and with progressive and neo classical parts of the guitars that we will enjoy as the track runs.
The song is based on Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faith"

"The Crushing Weight of Eternity" is another theme that does not let you breathe with a density in the instruments in the first seconds and that Ripper and Aaron take vocal duets that remind us passages of Where Moth and Rust Destroy or guitars that transports us to topics like Erratic Palpitations of the Human Spirit.
Here the reference is to 1 Corinthians 2: 9: "Rather, as it is written: Things that eye did not see, nor ear heard, Nor have they gone up in the heart of man, They are what God has prepared for those who love him"

With "The Peaceful Beauty of Brutal Justice" an acoustic introduction surprises us at the beginning of the track and they step on the accelerator in an eloquent, fast and dynamic way in the vocal parts, and we enjoy the power in the strings of Poland who shine for their own weight.
An interesting insight was inspired by Hebrews 9:27 "And in the way it is established for men to die once, and after this judgment"

Same dynamic performed in "Can not Make Me Hate You", anyone would think that this theme seems ideal for one of the many solo projects that Ted has developed over the years, is another of the slow tracks of the album but not loses the direction that the other songs have taken since the first minutes, the high pitches of Ripper is without a doubt impressive.
"Can't Make Me Hate You" is based on Romans 8:38 "For which I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor the present nor the future ..."

If he was in a concert and wants to go to a pit or make a Wall of Death, with "One Foot in Forever" is perfect in every way, the first seconds are a delight for our ears, says Ted. Between lines "enjoy, this is yours!" and surely he has managed to maintain a delicious base that both Aaron and Chris are giving us, both are the protagonists of the song, especially Chris, who delights us with a jazz base in the middle part and a shot to kill the two rhythmic solos. . and leaders
Of equal continuation that in the previous track Ted takes of Romans 8:22 "Because we know that all the creation moans to one, and one with pains of childbirth until now"

And closing masterfully, the first single of the album in which the great Deen Castronovo appears as a special guest: "Gazing At Medusa".
Aaron and Deen assume the vocal roles while maintaining a perfect balance throughout the song, remember that this song is the lyrics of the new work of the band.
Since the song was presented, we are left with the mystery that if Deen would be the vocalist of the band, although later we would realize that he appeared as a special guest. Here their participation is high in carats and this is appreciated by the spectacular closing of the album.
The strong message in this clue is based on Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

In conclusion: we have in our hands another powerful tourniquet album that seems, at first glance, the expectation not to disappoint your loyal base of followers, and surely have achieved it with a great breath of fresh air, they are reinventing themselves.

Tim Ripper Owens - lead vocal
Chris Poland - guitar
Aaron Guerra - guitar, voice
Ted Kirkpatrick - drums, bass

Tracklist:

1- Sinister Scherzo

2- Longing for Gondwanaland

3- Memento Mori

4- All Good Things Died Here

5- The Crushing Weight of Eternity

6- The Peaceful Beauty of Brutal Justice

7- Can't Make Me Hate You

8- One Foot in Forever

9- Gazing at Medusa (Feat Deen Castronovo)