Tourniquet
Acoustic Archives
Reviewed by Chad Olson
The pioneers of Christian technical metal are here with an acoustic album. Acoustic Archives is a 10 song disc full of classic Tourniquet songs done acoustically, plus one new "electric" song. The production is amazing. Everything is so clear. Luke Easter's voice sounds great in a lower, quieter register. Ted Kirkpatrick and Aaron Guerra's acoustic guitar work is pure mastery. Most of the songs are done like the originals, but there are a few twists here and there. "Viento Borrascoso" opens up the album, and Aaron's solo work is incredible here. Another big highlight is "If Pigs Could Fly." When you strip away the electricity and franticness of the originals, it becomes clear that Tourniquet knows how to write great songs that don't need to hide behind a bunch of whirrs and whistles. There's almost a bluesy sort of feel in some spots. "Trivializing the Momentous, Complicating the Obvious" is a HEAVY, aggressive, and very "electric" new track. If this is the direction of the next album, look out! Check it out on #75's Hard Music Sampler. The artwork is pretty neat-o, too. Tourniquet is indie now, so to order send $15 plus $3 shipping ($6 outside the US) to: PO Box 3427, Santa Monica CA 90408