Torment (Central Coast)

Band members

• Final Line-up
  • Arthur Beck (guitar)
  • Kylie Edwards (bass)
  • Tait Kristen (vocals, guitar)

• Former Members
  • Anthony Lodge (lead guitar)
  • Luke Davies (bass)
  • Justin Saville (drums)
  • Eric Herington (bass)

Formed

Central Coast, NSW, 2001

Band information

Not to be confused with the other Torment from Sydney.

TORMENT was a thrash metal band from the NSW Central Coast. The band existed from early 2001 until mid 2003 and recorded an album in late 2002 called 'When Hell Freezes Over'.

TORMENT formed in February 2001 when guitarists Tait Kristen and Anthony "Tony" Lodge met at the local TAFE college. After jamming and realising they had similar musical tastes, the two decided to join forces and christen themselves CARNAGE, a name that would soon change to MALEVOLENCE due to another band in the area dubbed CARNAGE. Joining the guitar duo was bassist Luke Davis, a slap-style bassist with a penchant for anything Claypool (Primus frontman). For several months the trio worked on material such as "Tides" (which would eventually be reworked into "Misery"), "Cut Up" and the Davis penned "Sluts Are Cool".

In June 2001, Davis left the group after been offered a spot in the local funk metal outfit FUSE. Back to a guitar duo, Kristen and Lodge decided to change the bandname again, this time to HUNTER KILLER (inspired by the Terminator movies). Occasionally filling in on drums and bass were Lodge's brother Jason and close friend Brent ??? (surname unknown). The band finally changed their name for the final time in September 2001 when Kristen and Lodge met drummer Justin Saville. The drummer, who also had a flair for artwork came up with the name TORMENT and designed the logo on the back of a schoolbook in class one day. The band was now officially known as TORMENT and work began on new material.

It was during this time that most of the band's material was penned, including Kristen's solo contributions "Words Written In Water", "Terminal Hatred", "Cage Of Despair" and "Antichrist" aswell as Lodge's works which included "Beyond The Sound Barrier", "Fallen The New Day" and former CARNAGE tracks "Tides" and "Cut Up". Aswell as the original material, the band began working on cover songs such as MOTORHEAD's "Orgasmatron", METALLICA's "For Whom The Bell Tolls" and MEGADETH's "Peace Sells". It was also around this time that it was decided Kristen would handle the microphone, allowing Lodge to concentrate on lead playing. In November, TORMENT made an appearance at Kristen's highschool performance day, winning the competition with a very raw and unrehearsed rendition of METALLICA's "Enter Sandman". Standing in on bass guitar was Max Van De Schuer, guitarist of local metal band TAMPAURA. The band soldiered on into 2002 as a trio, working hard on new material.

Around April 2002 it had become apparent that Saville's commitment was waning and he was officially fired after failing to appear at rehearsal. Back to square one Kristen and Lodge decided to take a break from the band as both guitarists had their final high school exams coming up. Shortly afterwards though, the two were back at it and auditioning new drummers. One of the hopefuls was former schoolmate of Kristen's, Arron Soiland. Unfortunately the auditions yielded nothing and mounting uncertainty took their toll on the relationship between Lodge and Kristen who in late June 2002 went separate ways after a heated arguement about non-band related issues. Kristen immediately took the name and the band under his own wing and continued, recruiting schoolfriend and rookie bassist Eric Herington and enlisting former drummer Saville to return and record the band's first album. Saville accepted the offer but made it clear he would record the album but would take no part in anything afterwards. During July and August 2002 the band reworked several older songs aswell as adding several new ones and finally recorded TORMENT's first album - 'When Hell Freezes Over'. Mixing was completed in October 2002 and Saville left the band for the last time, followed soon after by Herington, who had been replaced by former SUICIDAL AT BIRTH bassist Kylie Edwards. The split with Herington was amicable.

In 2003, Arthur Beck was recuited as rhythm guitarist which resulted in Kristen moving to lead guitar and vocals. It was decided that in the time without a drummer the new lineup would re-record the guitar, bass and vocals tracks on 'When Hell Freezes Over'. Before it could be done however, Beck was fired due to lack of ability and commitment. In September 2003 after being offered a spot as guitarist in AETURNUS DOMINION, Kristen left TORMENT and the group officially disbanded.