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Tourniquet
Stop The Bleeding
Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks: 46 minutes, 32 seconds
Street Date: 1990
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After a decade and a half of delivering punishing metal to rabid fans, Tourniquet's
first release, Stop the Bleeding, is often dismissed as merely being a spring board for their
later efforts. It' uniqueness is commonly overlooked, and is implied by some as being a bit outdated.
Though it is quite true that a lot has changed in metal since 1990 (not all for the better), this
is still an album that offers more sonic intricacies than most - past and present. It is also bone
crushingly heavy!
A common grievance is the shrilling falsettos of Guy Ritter. This style of singing was more
commonplace during this era and comparisons were usually made between him and King Diamond. For some,
this may depreciate the originality. But set against the blistering background, these vocals create a
musical ambience akin to no one else. His unrelenting shrieks on "Ready or Not," for example, resemble
the howls of a frail yet hideous creature crawling out of a tomb.
Though there was no official bassist (they were essentially a trio), the work that was laid down
in this respect is crunchy and more than functional. The bass work on "Harlot Widow and the Virgin Bride"
is particularly prevalent and works well in this fashion. The guitar work is pristine and hints at the
technical progressions that will emerge on later albums. Needless to say the drumming is extraordinary
as Ted Kirkpatrick introduced his signature beats. One can literally be transfixed into the drumwork alone.
This album shines ten metallic gems that don't let up. Highlights are the melodic "Test for Leprosy"
containing one the coolest bridges ever, the epic "Tears of Korah" that successfully conjures the setting
of the subject matter, and the infectious whirlwind that is "Swarming Spirits."
In conclusion, Stop the Bleeding is worth any metal fan's time - be it to reminisce or to ponder
Tourniquet's timeless musical innovations.
- JfH Reader REVIEW:
Review date: 11/30/05, written by Joshua Hamilton for Jesusfreakhideout.com
**NOTE: JfH staff have not reviewed this album.
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 Artist Info: Discography
Record Label: Frontline
Album length: 10 tracks: 46 minutes and 32 seconds
Street Date: 1990
Buy It: Tourniquet.net
- The Test for Leprosy
- Ready or Not
- Ark of Suffering
- Tears of Korah
- The Threshing Floor
- You Get What You Pray For
- Swarming Spirits
- Whitewashed Tomb
- Somnambulism
- Harlot Widow and the Virgin Bride
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