Album Details

• Artist: Torche
• Album: Harmonicraft
• Label: Volcom
• Year of Release: 2012
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2012-11-22

I feel a bit guilty reviewing a Torche album 8 months after release but it appears that no other editorial review sees it fit for review. Harmonicraft is the name of the album and it really is a beautiful metal album. If you are one of those who think that "beautiful" and "metal" don't go together then maybe Harmonicraft is not the album for you. Torche fans have come to expect a wonderful heavy harmony with their songs. You'd think they might have some of that sunny energy coming from Florida and that's exactly what one gets here. If I was forced to get you to like Torche, I would play the second track on the album entitled "Kicking". It's a song that is just screaming for a road trip. The album feels like a stoner metal album but really is dynamic enough to bring in fans of most metal genres. Harmonies do abound on the album and while the vocals are a little down in the mix on most songs, they are easy to decipher. Listen to the thundering "Sky Trials" and the killer guitar riffs mixed with some of the greatest drumming to happen this year.

The sonics of this album are due to the mixing of Kurt Ballou from the even heavier Converge. It must be noted that Torche actually self-produced this album and let me stand in line to congratulate them, it really is a triumphant album. 

Really, Harmonicraft is one of the best metal albums I have come across this year and yes, I think it even trumps Meanderthal, my next favorite Torche album.  

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