Tormentor: Anno Domini (1989)

I previously discussed Tormentor with their 1987 demo/album The 7th Day of Doom.  Despite the fact that Tormentor has never released a true full-length album (I am not even counting that mess released in 2000 when the band had changed their sound so drastically as to be unrecognizable as the same band), they remain one of the primary influences on the burgeoning black metal genre in the early 1990's.  This release, their second demo, is perhaps even more of a foundation for the black metal scene.  And just like the previous release, it is notable for featuring Attila Csihar prior to his run in Mayhem.

Tormentor's sound on this release is a very primitive form of black metal, with massive influences from groups like Mercyful Fate and Venom.  In that respect, it is much closer to a traditional metal album than it is to what is classified as black metal these days.  There are definitely some elements though that have never changed with the genre that are present here.  The entire release is awash with a dark, malevolent and evil atmosphere that can be heard from the riffs down to the psychotic wailing vocals. 

The biggest highlight of the release is the vocals of Csihar.  His vocals are absolutely chilling, able to rise from a soft whisper to a blood-curdling shriek with ease.  And he definitely engages in some vocal acrobatics on this release, taking on a variety of vocal styles and shifting between them quickly and jarringly.  It is a true virtuosic performance.

There are a number of classic black metal tracks on this release, such as "Tormentor" and "Elisabeth Bathory".  This release is a true landmark in the formation of black metal, taking its cues from Mercyful Fate and expanding even further into the black void.  This absolutely needs to be checked out.