Torche, the Florida/Georgia-based band the Village Voice dubbed “the legitimate sons of a union between Hüsker Dü and the Melvins,” release their Relapse Records’ debut, Restarter, on Feb. 24.
In an in-studio piece with Rolling Stone, bass player Jonathan Nuñez said the quartet began working on the 10-song album in November of 2013 and finished recording in the spring of this year. Nuñez told the magazine “The music is like what we do: very driving, very heavy on the toms, real pounding rhythm section, the guitars are just nonstop, but with a melodic twist. Then the vocals come in and it’s this whole Psychedelic Furs – and maybe Guided By Voices – phrasing.”
“Moving forward, leaning backwards, twisting sideways and loving every new release,” said singer/guitar player Steve Brooks. “Restarter is moody and still very much a Torche record.”
The cover art for Restarter was done by Santos (Kylesa, High On Fire).
Torche’s most recent release, 2012’s Harmonicraft, was hailed as “a true game-changer” by the BBC while CMJ said it “isn’t just the best Torche release: It’s a contender for one of the best loud rock releases of the year.” The band’s 2008 release, Meandrathal, was Decibel Magazine’s album of the year and Pitchfork dubbed the band “fine purveyors of metallic sludge.”
Having recently wrapped up a trek to Australia and New Zealand, Torche launch a new round of U.S. dates on Dec. 27 as they join Clutch and Lionize for a brief outing. The band has also announced a Spring 2015 European outing.
Click HERE for dates.