There are bands that are a whole legacy in a specific genre, and that can be considered as living legends within it. This is the case of Torment, the English band that since 1985 and even with the fatal death by suicide of its guitarist and singer Simon Brand, is a benchmark in the psychobilly world; and that he visited Mexico for the first time giving away a historical show at the Skull Cat. Without a doubt the only forum where we can enjoy these groups, a key piece of history underground of many genres.
The night started with the performance of local bands like 7 Rex Babies, Quatro 4, and the Americans Dead at Midnite. After them again the Mexican advance would take the post first with the shrill voice and the psychobilly accelerated from Dead Rabbits, then from Tijuana enjoy Intrepid Mutants, with everything and his guitarist who in shorts and bralette the whole presentation went mad. Attendance that seemed poor at first is increasing as the night progresses, and by the time the stellar act draws near, there are a decent number of fans waiting to experience a historic night.
The weather forecast in the Insurgentes forum is undoubtedly an inevitable storm, and Torment start your presentation with "Uncle Sam". At the same time on the track a couple of girls beat each other up because one spilled the beer from the other, and this slightly reduces the spirits of people who are more aware of the brawl than the band. Fortunately that morass ends when the party of "Psyclops Carnival" is unleashed, and now if everyone dance and do wrecking pit which is chronically increasing in power with themes like "Zodiac Revolution", "Time to Think" and the powerful "The Source" that it was seriously crazy on the floor; like "Satisfied". The audio that had started somewhat poorly the first three songs is already restored and worthy of such a gallant night. People start asking "Rockjet" and Torment He fulfills them, and leads them to the moon by the slow rhythm that then explodes in a constant frenzy, like a roller coaster. "Pass It On" and Slow Down the revolutions drop a little, so that later the party psycho untie again with Rockabilly Boogie, "Nightmare" and its sound more post punk, "Worse And Worse" and "Who Do You Love?".
The gray hair and wrinkles of the members of Torment on the double bass and drums they show the long road that these legendary musicians have traveled, but the power they unleash when playing "Eye For An Eye" and "Mystery Man"(one of the best atmosphere at night) is to be envied. While on the track the constant sound of cracks breaking tells us how sticky the floor will be in a few minutes due to wasted beer, there is no rest upstairs and "Conscription Plan", "You Did Nothing" and "I´m A Loser" They close the first part of the presentation. People applaud and of course Torment it returns, and it does it with a great classic as it is Death Trail, which is a feast for old school fans; They even take the opportunity to jump the fence on a couple of occasions and greet one of the Englishmen up close. But if we talk about old school, the total closure of the night with "Three's to Crowd" and "The Last Time ” It is a trip to the past with which I do now, and with the clock ticking almost 1:30 am, Torment retires in a show that is undoubtedly a story of pure gold for music lovers psychobilly.
All photos by Alfredo ALV [penci_review]
