Torche
is a band from Miami, Florida, whose sound is often described as stoner metal, sludge metal or doom metal.
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TORCHE TICKETS
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Biography
The group was formed in 2004
[1] by Steve Brooks (ex-
Floor), Juan Montoya (ex-Floor, ex-
Cavity, ex-Ed Matus Struggle), Jonathan Nuñez and Rick Smith (who also played in the
grindcore bands
Shitstorm and
Tyranny of Shaw, and the
screamo band
Tunes for Bears to Dance To).
[2]
According to MTracks.com: "Their music has a unique, hard-hitting sound that provokes a wide range of emotions, and they have a large fan base throughout the world."
[3]
They have toured with
Mogwai,
Isis,
Pelican,
Black Cobra,
Baroness,
Jesu,
The Sword,
Stinking Lizaveta,
Harvey Milk and
Boris.
[4] Steve Brooks, however, has said that they don't consider themselves a
metal band.
[5] In describing the band's sound, Smith said in an interview: "To me it's mostly a combination of everything we listen to collectively as a band. We take what we like from what we grew up on and use it as creatively as we can. I think the meshing of different sounds comes naturally just because we all have different musical backgrounds yet have a ton of common interests."
[6] In terms of touring, Brooks said Torche is getting more of a young crowd.
[7]
On April 8, 2008, the band released their second full-length, entitled
Meanderthal
. It was produced by
Kurt Ballou (
Converge,
Genghis Tron).
[8]
It was met with critical acclaim, including that from
Decibel Magazine who ranked
Meanderthal
#1 on their list of the Top 40 Extreme Albums of 2008
[9] as well as an 8.2/10 by
Pitchfork Media [10]. In an interview, Brooks said the band themselves came up with the album's concept in terms of artwork and packaging.
[11] Brooks has also said that in terms of writing material, the band focuses on what they like, rather than worrying about a "backlash" from their fans.
[12]
In late 2008 Juan Montoya left the band due to music differences. Steve Brooks said "He is an amazing guitarist, but we are just not on the same page... but Torche will still carry on as a 3 piece band".
Torche has fulfilled this statement by embarking on several tours, including one with the band
dredg and another with a reunited
Harvey Milk.
Members
Current members
- Steve Brooks – guitar, vocals
- Jonathan Nuñez – bass
- Rick Smith - drums
Former members
Discography
Studio albums
Year
| Title
| Label
|
2005
| Torche
| Robotic Empire/ Rock Action Records
|
2008
| Meanderthal
| Hydra Head Records/ Robotic Empire
|
EPs
Year
| Title
| Label
|
2007
| In Return
| Robotic Empire/ Rock Action Records
|
2009
| Healer / Across the Shields
| Hydra Head Records
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Splits
Year
| Title
| Label
|
2009
| Chapter Ahead Being Fake
(split with Boris)
| Daymare Records
|