Miami metallers Torche have carved their own unique path through the metal landscapes for over 14 years now, distilling their love for a disparate array of rock sub-genres into their own unique sonic stew.
On their latest release, Admission (July 12, Relapse Records), the band continue to chart their own course, refusing to bow to trends or expectations.
From Here is an opener of seismic proportions, and illustrates just how big a sound the Florida foursome can generate, from jackhammer percussion to a collision of bruising riff and harmonic guitar lines.
Submission is a lesson in stoner metal dynamics, with a stop-start riff, bleeding hi-hats and Steve Brooks understated vocals, which at times recall Prong’s Tommy Victor and Helmet’s Page Hamilton, never rising above a fever pitch, content to let the sonic boom guitar furor do most of the talking.
Admission, like much of the band’s back catalogue walks a tightrope between stoner metal (Infierno, On The Wire) and heavy alternative rock, and they ably split the difference between the two.
Take Slide, a 90s esque-grunge stomper that has the vast churn of Jane’s Addiction or Soundgarden, or the buzzsaw atmospherics of Times Missing, offering a trippy, droning hypnotic churn that pulls you in like an undertow.
Elsewhere the band dip their toes into shoegaze and space rock, none more splendidly than on the title track, which sounds like a soothing miasma of Smashing Pumpkins, Slowdive and Failure, with an irresistible shimmering, sugary guitar hook that’s one of their most catchy tunes to date.
The band combine all their influences on album closer Changes Coming, with Brooks soothsayer lyrics layered over a bed of guitar squalls, undulating riffs and atmosphere to burn.
Admission is another fine feather in Torche’s cap, seeing a more refined mix of influences and musicianship, augmented by bassist Jonathan Nunez switching to role as second guitarist (with Eric Hernandez stepping in for 4-string duties), offering their most widescreen sound to date. Grab your tickets, an aural journey awaits.
