TORCHE – RESTARTER
Tracklist:
- Annihilation Affair
- Bishop in Arms
- Minions
- Loose Men
- Undone
- Blasted
- No Servants
- Believe It
- Barrier Hammer
- Restarter
Year: 2015
They’re loud, they’re heavy, they’re doomy, but whatever you do, don’t call them metal. Perhaps this curious idea is at the very core of what has enabled Miami, Florida’s Torche to create a variety of music that is so distinctive. Often described as “thunder pop”, the wonderful noise made by this four-piece certainly has a way of captivating a listener on multiple levels. Restarter, the band’s first full-length effort since 2012, is my first experience with Torche, though their name has been familiar to me for some time now.
Upon hearing Restarter’s opening track, “Annihilation Affair”, most of my expectations for the sounds that I would be hearing on this record were immediately surpassed. The comfortable tempo and fuzz-like atmosphere provide a framework for where the following nine tracks are likely to take the listener. I use the term framework loosely, as this band has shown that their music is not to be restricted to a specific set of ideas.
TORCHE – “Annihilation Affair” (Official Track)
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The next cut, “Bishop in Arms”, is one of a handful of tracks on Restarter that is sure to have you moving (“Loose Men”, “Blasted”, and title track “Restarter” are some others that will do the same). These are the songs that you shamelessly belt out lyrics to as you shampoo your mane mid-shower; the kind of songs that you jive to in the aisles as you shop in the supermarket.
On the very same record, tracks such as “Undone” and “No Servants” will have you swear that you are listening to High on Fire. Even so, lead singer Steve Brooks’ clean vocals blend to perfection, providing a dynamic that is unrivaled by any band at the moment. I can say with confidence that Torche is one of the catchiest ‘heavy’ bands that I have heard in a while, due in large part to the vocals and guitars provided by Brooks at the helm. This along with Andrew Elstner’s guitar work will be enough have your head banging, as well as your hips moving, throughout. When discussing heavy, one cannot fail to acknowledge the presence of powerful low-end. Bassist Jonathan Nuñez plays his instrument of choice with conviction, along with hard-hitting punch from Rick Smith behind the drum kit. Together, all members simultaneously achieve a flow-state of solid, memorable music from beginning to end.
From fans of sludge metal, to rock, to alternative, there is something for everyone on Restarter. Torche is back, and their powerful sonic landscapes are ready to fill your earholes.
