Formed in 2003, Torchbearer have wasted no time in getting new material together. March 22nd this year sees the release of Yersinia Pestis (which, I found out thanks to the CDC website, is the bacterium which causes plague in humans and animals...so let’s hope no disease breaks out).

I have to say I like the album. It`s not going to win any originality awards but what they do play is good stuff.

A pounding double-bass and tearing riffs are evident from the kick-off. Riffs are mostly the thrashier side of death however songs like "For Advanced Closure" contain distinct elements of black metal.

I can really dig the double bass sound on the track "Thus Came Dying Unto Kaffa", an element I feel is sometimes overlooked, props to the production on that one. The producer was Jonas Kjellgren who has previously worked with Carnal Forge.

Tracks worthy of mention are "Sown Are The Seeds Of Death" (which is available from Metal Blade for download I believe) and the above mentioned "Thus Came Dying Unto Kaffa". The only downside to this album is its brevity at only 35 minutes, but who knows, maybe less is more in this case? I’d give this album a listen if I were you.