Torche (band)

Torche
Torche performing in 2013
Background information
Origin	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Stoner metal[1] sludge metal[1] stoner rock[1] alternative rock[2]
Years active	2004–2022
Labels	Relapse Hydra Head Rock Action Robotic Empire
Past members	Steve Brooks Rick Smith Jonathan Nuñez Eric Hernandez Juan Montoya Andrew Elstner
Website	torchemusic.com

Torche was an American stoner metal/sludge 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 and final full-length studio album, Admission, in 2019.

History

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 do not 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, 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.

In January 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.^[19][20]

In May 2022, founding frontman Steve Brooks announced the upcoming tour supporting Meshuggah would be his last with the band, stating "We're a few months away from the last tour I'm doing with Torche," he writes. "We've been so very lucky and went far beyond what I imagined. I just don't have it in me to keep this going living on opposite sides of the country. Much love to my band members and everyone that supported us these 18 years! See y'all this Sept/Oct."^[21]

On September, 17, 2022, it was later confirmed in previous comments from a post on Brooks's personal Instagram that the band will not continue without him after their current tour ends.^[22] Torche played their final concert on October 16, 2022, opening for Meshuggah and In Flames at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia.^[23]

Members

Frontman Steve Brooks live in concert

Final lineup

• Steve Brooks – guitars, vocals (2004–2022)
• Jonathan Nuñez – guitars^[24] (2017–2022), bass (2004–2017)
• Rick Smith – drums (2004–2022)
• Eric Hernandez – bass (2017–2022)^[25]

Former

• Juan Montoya – guitars (2004–2008)^[26]
• Andrew Elstner – guitars, vocals (2011–2016)^[27][28]

Touring

• Howard Johnston – live guitars (2010)^[29]

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[30]

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"[31]	(Songs later appeared on deluxe version of Restarter)
2013	"Keep Up/Leather Feather"[32]	n/a
2022	"It Never Began"[33]	n/a

Other appearances

• Metal Swim – Adult Swim compilation album (2010)
• "In Bloom" (originally by Nirvana; tribute album Whatever Nevermind) (2015, Robotic Empire)

References

1. "Torche | Discography, Members". Metal Kingdom. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
2. Treppel, Jeff (July 11, 2019). "Album Review: Torche Enter A More Mature Phase with Admission". MetalSucks. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
3. Torche Biography starpulse.com. Retrieved on July 31, 2009.
4. An Interview with Steve and Rick of Torche Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine stonerrock.com. July 24, 2005. Retrieved on July 30, 2009.
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.
7. [1]
8. "Torche Interview – Deaf Sparrow Zine". Deafsparrow.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
9. "All That is Heavy". Stonerrock.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
10. Carman, Keith. "Torche Make It Quick • Interviews •". Exclaim.ca. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
11. [2] Archived December 22, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
12. "Torche: Meanderthal | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. July 31, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
13. Torche interview Paradeofflesh.blogspot.com. May 29, 2008. Retrieved on July 21, 2010.
14. "Torche – Steve Brooks, Vocals/Guitars". SMNnews.com. March 27, 2008. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
15. "Dirty Laundry Presents: Torche". dirtylaundry.tv. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
16. Reighley, Kurt B. A Big, Gay Roundtable, Thestranger.com. October 28, 2008. Retrieved on October 29, 2010.
17. Torche & Dredg – 2009 Tour Dates, Brooklynvegan.com. February 23, 2009. Retrieved on March 1, 2010.
18. Zaleski, Annie.Andrew Elstner of Tilts, Riddle of Steel Joins Stoner-Metal Band Torche Archived January 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine blogs.riverfronttimes.com. January 14, 2011. Retrieved on January 16, 2011.
19. "Torche Admission". Relapse Records. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
20. Breihan, Tom (May 14, 2019). "Torche – "Slide"". Stereogum. Prometheus Global Media, LLC. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
21. Torche Frontman Steve Brooks States Upcoming Tour Will Be His Last With The Band, Brooklynvegan.com. May 13, 2022. Retrieved on July 18, 2022.
22. Deville, Chris (September 17, 2022). "Torche Will Break Up After Final Tour With Steve Brooks". Stereogum. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
23. Breihan, Tom (October 17, 2022). "Torche Play Their Final Show In Atlanta: Watch". Stereogum. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
24. "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. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
25. "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. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
26. "Guitarist Juan Montoya Talks About Altercation That Led To His Dismissal from Torche". Blabbermouth.net. December 16, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
27. Zaleski, Annie (January 14, 2011). "Andrew Elstner of Tilts, Riddle of Steel Joins Stoner-Metal Band Torche". Riverfront Times. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
28. wookubus (November 7, 2016). "Torche And Guitarist Andrew Elstner Reportedly Part Ways". The PRP. Retrieved January 16, 2017.
29. 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.
30. Fitzmaurice, Larry (September 19, 2011). "Listen: Torche Cover Guided by Voices". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
31. Currin, Grayson (December 13, 2012). "Torche: 'Harmonslaught'". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
32. Martins, Chris (May 14, 2013). "Hear Torche's Blissful New Headbanger 'Keep Up'". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
33. DeVille, Chris (September 13, 2022). "Torche – "It Never Began"". Stereogum. Stereogum Media. Retrieved February 27, 2023.

External links

• Official website
• Robotic Empire (Label US)
• Rock Action (Label UK)
• Torche Interview
• Pics London Underworld 2006 by: Bartolomy
• Torche at AllMusic
• Interview with Steve Brooks of Torche at The Bone Reader
• Florida Geek Scene Interviews Torche