Water Torture released ‘Pillbox,’ playing shows w/ Punch and more (dates & LP stream)
by Ian Chainey
Rapid-fire blasts. Sustained, grinding crawls that shake the floor thanks to the two bass set-up. Wild gales of feedback and lashes of noise. That's Pillbox, the newest album from powerviolence destroyers Water Torture. The trio -- two bassists, one drummer -- are intent on bringing back the subsonic element favored by Man is the Bastard; the one few others have been able to pull off. But Water Torture are a little speedier, a little catchier, and a little more nimble than similar groups that have tried the dual bass rumble. And over Pillbox's 17 tracks, there's always a sense they have their hands on the wheel, even when they're circling the void. The sheer wattage of power they're able to impart is impressive, though Pillbox wouldn't hit as deeply if Water Torture weren't as exacting.
People have taken notice. Since coming up through Grindcore Karaoke in 2011 with their self-titled effort, Water Torture have steadily risen to prominence on the back of a billion splits. Now, they're set to play Maryland Deathfest 2015. They're currently touring Europe. They'll be hitting big US bills like Punch, Curmudgeon, and Crushed on September 9 at NYC's Death by Audio and Cloud Rat, Nervous Mothers, and Recreant on September 18 at NYC's The Acheron (tickets). With Pillbox, it's easy to hear why. Pillbox is the result of a hungry band showing off veteran skills while playing a style that, despite it's importance, rarely produced other contenders. Consider that distinction changed. Water Torture are definitely one.
All dates are listed, with a stream of Pillbox, below...
Water Torture -- 2014 European Tour
Aug 12 • Leeds, UK @Temple of Boom
Aug 14 • Bristol, UK @The Red Lion
Aug 15 • London, UK @Chimpyfest
Aug 16 • Ghent, BEL @Bakunin's Pogo Bar
Aug 17 • Amsterdam, NED @OCCII
Aug 19 • Cologne, GER @Autonomes Zentrum
Aug 20 • Kassel, GER @secret show
Aug 21 • Berlin, GER @Kastanienkeller
Aug 22 • Wroclaw, POL @CRK
Aug 23 • Zdar nad Sazavou, CZE @Batyskaf Club
Aug 24 • Dramstadt, GER @Oetinger Villa
Aug 26 • Norwich, UK @The Owl Sanctuary
Aug 27 • Birmingham, UK @The Edge
Aug 28 • Newcastle, UK @The Black Bull
Water Torture -- Additional Dates
Sep 9 - Brooklyn, NY - Death by Stereo w/ Punch, Curmudgeon, and Crushed
Sep 18 - Brooklyn, NY - The Acheron w/ Cloud Rat, Nervous Mothers, and Recreant
May 21-24, 2015 - Maryland Deathfest