Tortured Conscience

Tortured Conscience is a Christian extreme metal band from San Francisco, California.

Tortured Conscience
OriginSan Francisco, California
GenresChristian metal,[1] death metal,[1][2] extreme metal brutal death metal,[3] grind metal[2] deathgrind[2]
Years active2000-present
LabelsSound of the Dead, Tarantula, Bombworks, Battlefrost
Associated acts
  • Disciple
  • Vulgar Pigeons
  • Agenda of Swine
  • Benumb
  • Decapitated Sheep
  • Arterial Atrophy
WebsiteTortured Conscience on Facebook
MembersJeff Lenormand
Past membersShannon Frye
Paul Pontikoff
Berto Salas
John Gotelli

History

Tortured Conscience formed in 2000 with the lineup of just two members, Jeff Lenormand on guitars and bass and Shannon Frye on drums and vocals. In 2001, the band released their first demo, titled Faces of God. The demo was re-released through The Collection Vol. 1: Tools of the Trade, a split release with Royal Anguish and Soul of the Savior in 2002.

In 2002, Sounds of the Dead (SOTD) Records, released A Brutal Christmas: The Season in Chaos, a compilation of Christmas songs covered by Christian metal bands.[4][5] Tortured Conscience appeared on the compilation, alongside bands Kekal, Frost Like Ashes, Royal Anguish and Death Requisite, recording the song "The Little Drummer Boy".[6][7] Tarantula Promotions released a sampler, titled Arachnid Terror Sampler for to promote some artists they had worked with, including Tortured Conscience, Soul Embraced, Frosthardr, and Sanctifica.[8]

In 2006, the band released their debut album, Every Knee Shall Bow, via Bombworks Records.[9] By this time, the lineup was Lenormand on guitars and bass, John Gotelli on drums and Berto Salas on vocals.[3]

The band is currently working on new material with Lenormand on guitar, bass, and drum programming.[10] The band stated that it will most likely be an EP and it will be released through Battlefrost Productions.[11] In 2020, it was announced that their debut album was remixed and remastered and was to be re-released through Battlefrost Productions.[12]

Christianity

The band is uncompromisingly Christian.[3][13] In an interview, Lenormand stated;

Yes, blatantly Christian...This band was made strictly for God. We will not water down the message to try and "fit in." There are too many bands that are ambigious [sic?] about their faith, and if that's what they want to do, fine. But for us, it's all about Christ.[3]

When asked about his ambitions for the band in another interview, he responded;

[For Tortured Conscience] It was always about the message. I wanted a band that put glorifying God first and wanted to have songs that were deep into theology.[14]

Members

Current

  • Jeff Lenormand - Guitars/Bass (2000-present)

Former

  • Berto Salas - Vocals (2004-2010)
  • Paul Pontikoff - Vocals (2002)
  • Shannon Frye - Drums/Vocals (2000-2002)
  • John Gotelli - Drums (2002-2015)

Discography

Studio albums

Demos

  • Faces of God (2001)[19]

Splits

  • The Collection Vol. 1: Tools of the Trade (2002; w/ Royal Anguish and Soul of the Savior)

Compilation appearances

References
  1. Sharpe-Young, Garry (2005). New Wave of American Metal. p. 52.
  2. JoshIVM (March 25, 2007). "Tortured Conscience - Every Knee Shall Bow". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  3. Serpent Grinder (2006). "Tortured Conscience Interview". Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  4. Various Artists - A Brutal Christmas - "The Season of Chaos" at the Wayback Machine (archive index). HM Magazine. Retrieved on September 6, 2017.
  5. Raucous Rocker (December 19, 2011). "Music Review: Various Artists – A Brutal Christmas: The Season in Chaos". Blogcritics. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  6. Hlavaty, Craig (December 9, 2010). "Five More Heavy Metal Christmas Carols". Houston Press. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  7. "13 Totally Rocking Christmas Songs". Kerrang!. 2012-12-05. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  8. "Turn Or Burn: Tarantula Promotions release compilation CD of extreme metal". Cross Rhythms. March 1, 2003. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  9. "Death Metal Delight: Tortured Conscience bow in with 'Every Knee Shall Bow' CD for Bombworks". Cross Rhythms. November 18, 2006. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  10. Tortured Conscience on Facebook
  11. "Tortured Conscience will be working with..." Facebook. August 26, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  12. Sullivan, Christian (November 14, 2020). "New Life Breathed Into Tortured Conscience". The Metal Onslaught. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
  13. Alfonso, Barry. The Billboard Guide to Contemporary Christian Music. p. 41.
  14. Lundstrum, Robex (September 14, 2014). "Interview with Agendas of Swine and Tortured Conscience". Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  15. Langley, Jonathan (April 12, 2007). "Review: Tortured Conscience – Every Knee Shall Bow". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  16. "Tortured Conscience – Every Knee Shall Bow". Powermetal.de (in German). January 1, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  17. "Reviews - 2006". Art For The Ears Zine. 2006. p. Tortured Conscience – Every Knee Shall Bow. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  18. Hellig, Ed (February 2007). "Tortured Conscience - Every Knee Shall Bow". Heaven's Metal Magazine. Missing or empty |url= (help)
  19. Bartholoemew, Biff. "Tortured Conscience - Demo 2001". The Whipping Post. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
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