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It has been quite a long time since I listened to this band. I would have to guess when they released their "Collected Works" over 5 years ago was when I last heard them. I do know that they have changed their sound many times going from technical Thrash in the beginning to out of control technical/jazz/progressive. This time around they have gone for a more straight forward approach with some complex time changes from drummer Ted Kirkpatrick. Ted is the only founding member left in the band.
Vocalist Luke Easter would be the next surviving member as he has joined the band back in 1994. While the band has always been a Christian band with a message, I respect them for the fact that they don't shove the message down your throat like STRYPER did in the 80's. This is a band that makes you think and that's the way it should be. You make up your own conclusion.
TOURNIQUET was always a band that managed to hire great guitar players. In the beginning there was Gary Lenaire, Mark Lewis, Erik Mendez and so on. Well, now Ted has outdone himself by hiring Marty Friedman and Bruce Franklin. So, how does the music stand up to their previous work? Not bad, but it's not what I am used to from the bad. The tempos are more mid-paced to slow. Not much thrashing around like in the past except in some mid sections of songs like "Drawn And Quartered" and the title track to name but a few.
"Architeuthis" picks up the pace here with an intro that sounds like it will lead into a full blown out instrumental, but then the band kicks into high gear sort of like the days of old. This is the TOURNIQUET that I remember. The overall product isn't bad. Their compositions are well structured, but I think they tend to drag on just a little too long. Perhaps if they were edited just a tad, they would be much more vicious.
Just a little too much filler for me. Luke's vocals remain the same and Ted's chaotic drumming is still in tact. (Online June 18, 2003)
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