Torche (band)

Torche is an American heavy metal band from Miami, Florida. The group formed in 2004 and has released five full-length studio albums, four EPs, two split albums, and three singles. They released their fifth full-length studio album, Admission, on July 12, 2019.[1][2]

Torche
Torch performing in 2013
Background information
OriginMiami, Florida, U.S.
GenresStoner rock, sludge metal
Years active2004–present
LabelsRelapse Records, Hydra Head, Rock Action, Robotic Empire
Associated actsFloor, Cavity, Tilts, Mehkago N.T., Shitstorm, Tyranny of Shaw, Tunes for Bears to Dance To, MonstrO
Websitetorchemusic.com
MembersSteve Brooks
Rick Smith
Jonathan Nuñez
Eric Hernandez
Past membersJuan Montoya
Andrew Elstner

Biography
Steve Brooks live in concert

The group was formed in 2004[3] 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, Tyranny of Shaw, Adore Miridia, the screamo band Tunes for Bears to Dance To, and punk band Post-Teens).[4] 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."[5] They have toured with Mogwai, Isis, Pelican, Clutch, Black Cobra, Baroness, Jesu, The Sword, Coheed and Cambria, Stinking Lizaveta, Harvey Milk, Boris, and High on Fire.[6] Steve Brooks, however, has said that they don't consider themselves a metal band.[7] 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."[8] In terms of touring, Brooks said Torche is getting more of a young crowd.[9]

On April 8, 2008, the band released their second full-length, entitled Meanderthal. It was produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge, Genghis Tron).[10] It was met with critical acclaim from publications including Decibel Magazine, who ranked Meanderthal No. 1 on their list of the Top 40 Extreme Albums of 2008,[11] and Pitchfork Media, who gave the album an 8.2/10 score in their review.[12] In an interview, Brooks said the band themselves came up with the album's concept in terms of artwork and packaging, along with Aaron Turner.[13] 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.[14]

Singer/guitarist Stephen Brooks is one of the few openly gay musicians in the metal scene.[15] He did an interview round table in 2008 on thestranger.com with other openly gay musicians such as Brian Cook (Russian Circles, Sumac, These Arms Are Snakes, Botch), and Juan Velazquez of Abe Vigoda.[16]

In late 2008 Juan Montoya left the band, a move credited to musical 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". As of 2010, Juan Montoya joined up with ex-Bloodsimple members Bevan Davies and Kyle Sanders, and Charlie Suarez of Sunday Driver to create the band "MonstrO" In an interview with Malia James, Brooks revealed that Montoya's departure was acrimonious, and involved physical violence between the two of them.[15]

Torche embarked on tours with bands such as dredg in April 2009,[17] and another with a reunited Harvey Milk. The band opened for Coheed and Cambria on their headlining tour alongside Circa Survive in spring 2010. One of Torche's earliest festival performances was at Incubate in 2006. After that, the band played at SXSW in 2008.

On January 14, 2011, it was announced on the Riverfront Times blog that Andrew Elstner (Riddle of Steel, Tilts) would be joining Torche.[18] The band released their fourth full-length, Restarter, in February 2015 on Relapse Records.

Torche announced their fifth full-length record, Admission on May 19, 2019, with the release of the song Slide. The album was released on Relapse Records July 12, 2019.[1][2]

Members

Timeline

Discography
Studio albums
Year Title Label
2005 Torche Robotic Empire/ Rock Action Records
2008 Meanderthal Hydra Head Records/ Robotic Empire
2012 Harmonicraft Volcom Entertainment
2015 Restarter Relapse Records
2019 Admission Relapse Records
EPs
Year Title Label
2007 In Return Robotic Empire/ Rock Action Records
2009 Healer / Across the Shields Hydra Head Records
2009 Meanderthal Demos Rotting Chapel
2010 Songs for Singles Hydra Head Records
Splits
Year Title Label
2009 Chapter Ahead Being Fake (split with Boris) Daymare Records
2011 Torche / Part Chimp Chunklet[25]
Singles
Year Single Album
2010 "King Beef" Chapter Ahead Being Fake
2011 "U.F.O." Songs for Singles
2012 "Pow Wow" / "80s Prom Song" Decibel Flexi-Disc Series
2012 "Kicking" Harmonicraft
2012 "Harmonslaught"[26] (Songs later appeared on deluxe version of Restarter)
2013 "Keep Up/Leather Feather"[27] n/a
Other appearances
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References
  1. "Torche Admission". Relapse Records. Relapse Records. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  2. Breihan, Tom. "Torche - "Slide"". Stereogum. Prometheus Global Media, LLC. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  3. Torche Biography starpulse.com. Retrieved on 2009-07-31.
  4. An Interview with Steve and Rick of Torche Archived 2011-09-28 at the Wayback Machine stonerrock.com. 2005-07-24. Retrieved on 2009-07-30.
  5. "Best Music Making Software - Free Production Creation Download". Archived from the original on December 20, 2008.
  6. "Torche". Torche. Archived from the original on December 15, 2007.
  8. "Torche Interview - Deaf Sparrow Zine". Deafsparrow.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-09. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  9. "All That is Heavy". Stonerrock.com. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  10. Carman, Keith. "Torche Make It Quick • Interviews •". Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  11. Archived December 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Torche: Meanderthal | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  13. Torche interview Paradeofflesh.blogspot.com. 2008-05-29. Retrieved on 2010-07-21.
  14. "Torche – Steve Brooks, Vocals/Guitars". SMNnews.com. 2008-03-27. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  15. "Dirty Laundry Presents: Torche". dirtylaundry.tv. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  16. Reighley, Kurt B. A Big, Gay Roundtable, Thestranger.com. 2008-10-28. Retrieved on 2010-10-29.
  17. Torche & Dredg - 2009 Tour Dates, Brooklynvegan.com. 2009-02-23. Retrieved on 2010-03-01.
  18. Zaleski, Annie.Andrew Elstner of Tilts, Riddle of Steel Joins Stoner-Metal Band Torche Archived 2011-01-23 at the Wayback Machine blogs.riverfronttimes.com. 2011-01-14. Retrieved on 2011-01-16.
  19. "Jonathan Nuñez on Instagram: "Love my @dunable_guitars Cyclops loaded with a pair of Sacha's very own Bigfoot pickups!! This is the first guitar that feels perfect since…"". Instagram.
  20. "Dunable Guitars on Instagram: "Eric from @torche_band and @wrong_band doesn't approve of many things as you can probably tell from his demeanor in this pic, but he…"". Instagram.
  21. "Guitarist Juan Montoya Talks About Altercation That Led To His Dismissal from Torche". Blabbermouth.net. December 16, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  22. Zaleski, Annie (January 14, 2011). "Andrew Elstner of Tilts, Riddle of Steel Joins Stoner-Metal Band Torche". Riverfront Times. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
  23. wookubus. "Torche And Guitarist Andrew Elstner Reportedly Part Ways". The PRP. The PRP. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  24. Landau, Erica K. (July 14, 2010). "Q&A: Jonathan Nunez from Torche, Playing Respectable Street Saturday". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. The Village Voice. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  25. Fitzmaurice, Larry (September 19, 2011). "Listen: Torche Cover Guided by Voices". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  26. Currin, Grayson (December 13, 2012). "Torche: 'Harmonslaught'". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  27. Martins, Chris (May 14, 2013). "Hear Torche's Blissful New Headbanger 'Keep Up'". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
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