Tourniquet
Tourniquet formed in Los Angeles back in 1990 and play what is considered technical Thrash with some occasional Doom elements thrown in for good measure. The band describes their sound as “Beethoven Meets Frankenstein” due to founding member Ted Kirkpatrick's love for Classical music blended with technical Metal. This process of blending and melting together of various genres has allowed the band to produce their on distinct - signature sound that fans from around the world have come to appreciate & love.
The following is an explanation of the meaning behind the band's name: "It's a lifelong spiritual process by which a personal God, through the atoning blood, death, and resurrection of His only Son -Jesus Christ- can begin to stop the flow of going through life without knowing and serving our Creator. He is our Tourniquet."
The following is an explanation of the meaning behind the band's name: "It's a lifelong spiritual process by which a personal God, through the atoning blood, death, and resurrection of His only Son -Jesus Christ- can begin to stop the flow of going through life without knowing and serving our Creator. He is our Tourniquet."
A long running career has allowed Tourniquet to add many accolades to their credit. For starters, they have appeared in many musicians magazines over the years including Modern Drummer, Guitar World, along with many more. Tourniquet has worldwide sales of over 350,000 units and have a serious fan base which is evident when one takes into count their 5,000,000 YouTube video views. Tourniquet has had the privilege of working with top producers including Bill Metoyer, Jim Faraci, and Neil Kernon. The band has performed around the world having took the stage in the US, Canada, Europe, and South America with fans that have been known to drive or fly long distances just to see the band play. Tourniquet has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including HM magazine’s Favorite Band of the Decade, several #1 Metal singles, and six Dove Award nominations.
2018
In 2018 Tourniquet released their 10th full-length studio album titled 'Gazing At Medusa'. The album was produced by Ted Kirkpatrick and released on the band's own label - Pathogenic Records. This release was mixed and mastered by Aaron Pace and the album's cover art was done by Jason Juta. Aaron Guerra's vocals were recorded by Billy Graziadei at Firewater Studios. The Drums, Rhythm Guitars, and Bass were recorded in Boca Raton, FL.
With the release of 'Gazing At Medusa' the band captures the magic of Tourniquet's early days through familiar tight arrangements, psychedelic touches, and the Vocal work of Tim 'Ripper' Owens(Judas Priest) who draws strong comparisons to the band's original Vocalist-Guy Ritter(Tourniquet 1990-1992).
With the release of 'Gazing At Medusa' the band captures the magic of Tourniquet's early days through familiar tight arrangements, psychedelic touches, and the Vocal work of Tim 'Ripper' Owens(Judas Priest) who draws strong comparisons to the band's original Vocalist-Guy Ritter(Tourniquet 1990-1992).
When one takes into consideration the line-up on this latest release with Drummer extraordinaire-Ted Kirkpatrick, long time Guitarist/Vocalist-Aaron Guerra, the world renown Lead Vocalist-Tim 'Ripper' Owens(Judas Priest), the well respected Guitarist-Chris Poland(Megadeth), and Guest Vocalist-Deen Castronovo (Journey/Revolution Saints) one begins to draw the conclusion that this isn't just an ordinary group of thugs. With such a line-up, what we have is a Supergroup composed of very talented very respected individual musicians that have all made their mark in the Metal community around the world.
When one considers the arrangements on this 2018 release coupled with the vocal work of Tim Owens, It's easy to see how this could had easily been a follow-up album to the band's 1992 release - 'Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance'. Vocalist-Tim 'Ripper' Owens is by no means a newcomer on the Metal scene. He has taken front and center for many bands over the years including Brainicide, Yngwie Malmsteen, Judas Priest, Iced Earth, Winter's Bane, Beyond Fear, and Hail!, just to mention a few. According to Wikipedia Owens took the nickname "Ripper" from the Judas Priest song "The Ripper" during his time in the tribute band "British Steel".
Owens' vocal work on Tourniquet's latest album is nothing short of brilliant and fits perfectly with the band's "Beethoven meets Frankenstein" sound.
Owens' vocal work on Tourniquet's latest album is nothing short of brilliant and fits perfectly with the band's "Beethoven meets Frankenstein" sound.
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The shred is handled from a duo guitar approach from core member-Aaron Guerra along with guest guitarist-Chris Poland. Music was always a part of Aaron’s family (his father’s band often rehearsed right in their living room!). Aaron’s father taught him how to play guitar at the age of 8. Later in life, Guerra joined his father's band - 'Final Notice' and was still and active member there even while he was joining Tourniquet. Some of the early influences that really inspired his interest in playing ranged from Zeppelin/The Who/Hendrix/ZZ Top to more modern players such as Angus Young, Dave Mustaine, and Marty Friedman.
Guitarist-Chris Poland is famous for his guitar work with Thrash Metalers-'Megadeth' but more recently has worked with the Rock/Jazz band 'OHM' and a Progressive Metal band called 'Redemption'.
The guitar work on 'Gazing At Medusa' ranges from traditional Thrash riffs to driving to extreme Metal techniques to melodic to Doom to 90’s style noodling to even Blues oriented play. When taking in consideration all the varying guitar techniques found on this release one can properly conclude that this is one project that will shred your face off!
Guitarist-Chris Poland is famous for his guitar work with Thrash Metalers-'Megadeth' but more recently has worked with the Rock/Jazz band 'OHM' and a Progressive Metal band called 'Redemption'.
The guitar work on 'Gazing At Medusa' ranges from traditional Thrash riffs to driving to extreme Metal techniques to melodic to Doom to 90’s style noodling to even Blues oriented play. When taking in consideration all the varying guitar techniques found on this release one can properly conclude that this is one project that will shred your face off!
Throughout this release Percussionist-Ted Kirkpatrick's Drum work is notably crisp in the mix and full of energy with his play helping to drive the songs forward from track to track. Ted is well known for his ability to create and execute poly rhythms within the framework of songs. What we mean by creating poly rhythms is the ability to simultaneously create two or more conflicting rhythms, that are not perceived as deriving from one another. On this latest release, one song that exhibits this playing style well is track-8 “One Foot In Forever”.
Lyrics are thought provoking as one can see in the following lyric excerpts:
"Memento Mori"
I know the plans I have for you
To give you hope and a future too
We are unholy – but think that we’re righteous
We are unworthy – but still feel entitled
Yet we can love – we love because He first loved us
Dying means living – living means dying - memento mori…
John 11:25
"All Good Things Died Here"
Like a leaf gently falling to welcoming ground
The gentlest ones shall rule the earth, how profound
All innocent beings who died are restored
So reached out a hand from creator and lord
Galatians 5:22
"The Crushing Weight Of Eternity"
Reach your hand - He’ll reach back
The crushing weight of eternity
Deafening moment for you and me
The weight is lifted when we choose to walk the path He offers
1 Corinthians 2:9
"The Peaceful Beauty Of Brutal Justice"
Appointed unto man to die
And after that the judgment comes
The unrepentant wicked will be cast into damnation
Appointed unto man to die
And after that the judgment comes
Even though His hope is that we all will find salvation
Hebrews 9:27
"One Foot In Forever"
The beauty of this world carries the hints of eternity
In everything we touch, in everything we hear and see
Let creation inspire you - burn a fire in you
Let the blazing sun remind us of He who binds us
Let the waters remind us of biblical streams in the desert
See the creatures around us - and see the glimpse of His majesty
Romans 8:22
I know the plans I have for you
To give you hope and a future too
We are unholy – but think that we’re righteous
We are unworthy – but still feel entitled
Yet we can love – we love because He first loved us
Dying means living – living means dying - memento mori…
John 11:25
"All Good Things Died Here"
Like a leaf gently falling to welcoming ground
The gentlest ones shall rule the earth, how profound
All innocent beings who died are restored
So reached out a hand from creator and lord
Galatians 5:22
"The Crushing Weight Of Eternity"
Reach your hand - He’ll reach back
The crushing weight of eternity
Deafening moment for you and me
The weight is lifted when we choose to walk the path He offers
1 Corinthians 2:9
"The Peaceful Beauty Of Brutal Justice"
Appointed unto man to die
And after that the judgment comes
The unrepentant wicked will be cast into damnation
Appointed unto man to die
And after that the judgment comes
Even though His hope is that we all will find salvation
Hebrews 9:27
"One Foot In Forever"
The beauty of this world carries the hints of eternity
In everything we touch, in everything we hear and see
Let creation inspire you - burn a fire in you
Let the blazing sun remind us of He who binds us
Let the waters remind us of biblical streams in the desert
See the creatures around us - and see the glimpse of His majesty
Romans 8:22
(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)
Tourniquet has released a slab of pure Molten Metal that commands attention in the Metal real. This could quite possibly be the bands best release to date and should be in the collection of all Metal heads around the world!
Tourniquet - 'Gazing At Medusa' can be purchased at any of the following links:
Tourniquet - 'Gazing At Medusa' can be purchased at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Aaron Guerra-Guitars/Vocals
Ted Kirkpatrick-Drums/Bass
Guest Musicians:
Tim 'Ripper' Owens(Judas Priest)-Lead Vocals
Chris Poland(Megadeth/OHM)-Lead Guitars
Deen Castronovo(Journey/Revolution Saints)-Lead Vocals on "Gazing at Medusa"
Aaron Guerra-Guitars/Vocals
Ted Kirkpatrick-Drums/Bass
Guest Musicians:
Tim 'Ripper' Owens(Judas Priest)-Lead Vocals
Chris Poland(Megadeth/OHM)-Lead Guitars
Deen Castronovo(Journey/Revolution Saints)-Lead Vocals on "Gazing at Medusa"
