Some bands just cant be defined by the accepted standards of a particular genre. The Genitorturers are a perfect example. This Tampa band is not only in its own category, but its own little world. Mix fetish attire, hardcore theatrics, fierce lyrics and a hot mistress and you have one kick-ass band. Lead singer Mistress Gen is a metal edged-rock goddess bursting from an industrial maelstrom. The rest of her crew proves to be equally malevolent (guitarist Chains, bassist Evil D and drummer Racci Shay). And, of course, lets not forget the stage performers, who help complete this display of immodest entertainment. The Genitorturers released their debut album, 120 days of Genitorture, with IRS Records in 1993, and have been bringing a mesmerized, cultish fan base sexual rapture ever since. In 1998, the bands Sin City CD was released by Cleopatra Records, and Machine Love was released in 2000, also by Cleopatra.

Theres no doubt that Gen is the core of this act, the captivating, brilliant center of the sun that you know is bad for you but you cant tear your eyes away from. Her demanding attitude hooks you in, but make no mistake the music is the essential part of the show that makes this band complete.

The sound of The Genitorturers is entirely unique. Gen has a voice to be reckoned with. Her harsh and whining sounds cannot be compared to any other, sounding like a three-pack-a-day torch singer one minute and like a less-breathy, more sexually imbued Marilyn Monroe the next. The live version of the bands song House Of Shame, on their Web site, shows off Gens voice at its snarling best. The music itself varies from pounding industrial rhythms to techno-style samples and hard-edged guitar. The lyrics tell tales of domination, penetration and humiliation. Summing up the bands goal, Gen says, Well, really what we try to do with our show is provide complete and total entertainment. We try to make our show very thought provoking. I try to create a show that I would find interesting. But the spectacle isnt for the spectators alone. Well, first, Im totally entertained. Secondly, I get a lot of intense energy from the audience. That really kinda fuels my fire.

There are many different levels to the Genitorturers shows. Some are more sexually explicit than others due to location or whatever the band is exploring that particular evening. Lots of props and toys are used: whips, chains, dildos and whatever Gen finds necessary to make everyones evening more pleasurable is apt to be put to good use on the stage. Certain lucky (or unlucky, depending on what youre into) audience members are sometimes summoned to participate in the sexual carnage, allowed to offer themselves up on stage to the amusement and excitement of the Torturers frenzied fans. Care for a whipping or two?

The bands Web site (www.genitorturers.com) provides a wide variety of pics and info to entice viewers to the live shows. Personally, I enjoy the religious-themed costumes the band sometimes sport. Most people condemn sex with religious overtones, but Gen questions it, explores it and turns into something that expands your mind. One can easily argue that the Toturers are advocates of free speech, and they, along with bands like them, help break the myths that subjects such as theologically fueled sex acts are taboo. Such carnal desires are being explored frequently, and not just on a concert stage.

The media has coined this group Shock Rock. But the Genitorturers are far to creative to be slapped with such a cheap, easy moniker. Still, the bands theatrics arent for everyone. Its all a matter of preference. But clearly, judging by the number of those who going to the Torturers shows, there are plenty of people who enjoy this type of sex-charged entertainment.

The Genitorturers are especially popular in their stomping ground, Tampa. In addition to touring country wide, the band enjoys quite the large following in Japan, where, according to Gen, the scene is awesome due to the number of crossover fans. Any Goth or fetish fan can be seen at a Genitorturers show, but a mix of metal, punk and techno club-goers are emerging. Theres also the hole-in-the-wall cities the band has toured that Gen finds especially receptive. Weve played shows in places like Jacksonville, Wyo., and Lincoln, Neb., and its really cool, because ya know, sometimes I think those crowds are more enthusiastic, more appreciative, Gen says. It takes a lot to come out to our show when youre in Wyoming. Of course, all this attention isnt without its share of trouble. People have come and done prayer vigils outside the club, Gen recalls. We find that really the best way to deal with them is to go outside and perform.

When Gen isnt tantalizing the erotic sides of impressionable youths, or prancing through the dirty minds of jaded adults, shes working on plenty of other projects.There is a new CD in the works, scheduled for a spring 2002 release, and a new musical collaboration called All Star Damnation (Gen describes it as, rock n roll perversion), which the singer says will have a late 70s, early 80s feel to it. A new DVD, Society Of Genitorture, is also on its way, a full-out audio/visual explosion of S&M; entertainment. Look for it at Tower records, as well as the bands Web site, on October 2nd. In addition, the Genitorturers next tour, Scarred For Life, will kick off in October, and, as if that werent enough, the group is also contributing previously released Torturers tunes to an independent film (Pain) by Tampa-based Present Day Productions. Guitarist Chains is also writing the score for Pain, as well as creating a cover of U2s Sunday Bloody Sunday.

What, youre still reading this? Now that youre acquainted with the likes of the Genitorturers, what are you waiting for? Check em out! Theres only one way to truly experience what the Genitorturers are all about, and thats with a live show. Be prepared for an eye-opening, sexually stimulating, hardcore evening of tunes. And dont forget to check your inhibitions at the door.

Eva Dark ( evadark@toosquare.com )

all photos copyright Genitorturers