Album Details

• Artist: Torche
• Album: Meanderthal
• Label: Hydra Head
• Year of Release: 2008
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: trismus on 2008-04-08

Someone once described Torche as The Melvins playing unreleased Queens of the Stone Age material.  That’s a pretty fair assessment but, as all comparisons do, it slights the creativity of the band in question.  I prefer to describe bands using a much more obscure, yet entirely personal, formula.  I try and imagine them fitting into the soundtrack of my life and envisioning when and where they’d fit.  Afterall, very few bands sound like a time of your life you’ve yet to encounter (although that’s where the most memorable ones reside). 

Torche slides easily into the playful adolescence of my teenage years.  In fact, this band makes me wish they were around back then because I would have totally been into them.  Their pop sensibilities are complimented perfectly by their radical composition, taking them into the category of the “unknowns” but never straying too far to lose you.  They’ve got enough sludge at times to add the integrity of metal and the innocent, upbeat, semi-punk vocals of a day at the Warped Tour.  They’re never too intense but have enough gravity to give their songs purpose and meaning.  Basically, Torche are a whole lot of genres rolled into one and they blend them very well.

Torche is the perfect introductory band for any teen on the verge of breaking away from the plastic world of pop.  DO NOT give your children Paramore or any other such garbage, unless you want your son to grow up wearing panties or your daughter to mature into a close minded prig.  Give them instead Meanderthal.  You’ll both enjoy it and you’ll feel good knowing that you pointed your heir in the right direction.

User Reviews and Comments

on 2008-08-27 dscanland Said:

I have fallen in love with Meanderthal. One of the best heavier releases this year, and there have been a lot! It's not TOO heavy but if you like the likes of Queens of the Stone Age then definitely check out Torche. Repeated listens will ensue.
Rating: 9/10

on 2008-05-19 SolitaryMan Said:

These guys are pretty good. Melvins by way of QOTSA sums up their sound for the most part, but it's basically a nice mix of stoner and arena rock. To my ears, they sound like what Black Sabbath would if they went the way of Metallica and forced a radio-friendly approach. But this shit really rocks, that's not an insult at all if it might sound that way.
Rating: 7/10