https://soundcloud.com/krillband/torturer/ Melding elements of punk rock, loads of both metal and garage rock influences and a dash of poppy, melodic lyrics and undertones, Krill's "Torturer" from the forthcoming album A Distant Fist Unclenching is rousing and bludgeoning, yet focused in its wild need to be experimental. The songs explodes with a spirit of desire and longing in the words and in the music in specific spots, leaving open a wide array of interpretation of the songs' central meaning. At around 3:30 in, a grating, shredding guitar takes center stage and brings "Torturer" to a whole new level, and then the music drops down again for a more subversive ending to the tune than we were probably expecting. "Torturer" is the sound of a band with a few years under their collective belts, but still striving to find that signature sound. It's a spirited outing for this Boston trio and should get more people talking about and sharing their music.
A Distant Fist Unclenching is due out 17 February via Exploding in Sound.
- Ron Grant