Torche is one of my favorite bands since 2000. A bright spot in a haze of mediocrity. Forging heavy down tuned metal with pop hooks. They have continued to improve with each release, until now.
The new Torche album Restarter is a let down. A color by numbers effort. Too much sludge, too few hooks.
There are parts that almost reach inspired in the dirges and the poppy songs are head nodding but nothing that has made me want to hear it again.
Everything is too familiar. I’m bummed out.
Take a listen for yourself.