The group was formed in 2004 by Steve Brooks (ex-Floor), Juan Montoya (ex-Cavity, ex-Ed Matus' Struggle), Jonathan Nuñez and Rick Smith (who also play in the grindcore band Shitstorm). 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." They have toured with Mogwai, Isis, Pelican, Black Cobra, Baroness, Jesu, The Sword, Stinking Lizaveta, Harvey Milk and Boris. Steve Brooks, however, has said that they don't consider themselves a metal band. 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." In terms of touring, Brooks said Torche is getting more of a young crowd.
On April 8, 2008, the band released their second full-length, entitled Meanderthal. It was produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge, Genghis Tron). It was met with critical acclaim, including that from Decibel Magazine who ranked Meanderthal #1 on their list of the Top 40 Extreme Albums of 2008 as well as an 8.2/10 by Pitchfork Media. In an interview, Brooks said the band themselves came up with the album's concept in terms of artwork and packaging. 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.
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".
Torche has fulfilled this statement by embarking on several tours, including one with the band dredg and another with a reunited Harvey Milk.
In 2010 the band started touring with a temporary second guitar player, Max Johnston of the Downhome Southernaires before finding a permanent replacement in Riddle Of Steel and Tilts guitarist and frontman Andrew Elstner. The band is now a 4 piece once again.
Current lineup:
Steve Brooks - guitar, vocals;
Jonathan Nuñez - bass guitar;
Rick Smith - drums;
Andrew Elstner - guitar, vocals.
Former members:
Juan Montoya - guitars.
http://www.torchemusic.com
Across the Shields
Torche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soothsayer flings a dull knife
Send all your kingdom's gold
And favor the keeper's soul
I am your armor
Impaling every born knight
Pierced the hole right
Send all your kingdom's gold
And favor the keeper's soul
I am your armor
The lyrics to Torche's song 'Across the Shields' are quite enigmatic and draw the listener into a world of medieval warfare and intrigue. The opening line "Harsh men hang their own kind" suggests a harsh and unforgiving world where loyalty can be a double-edged sword. The "Soothsayer flings a dull knife" could be interpreted as an omen of doom, a warning to those who are not vigilant.
The next two lines, "Send all your kingdom's gold and favor the keeper's soul / I am your armor", suggest that the singer is somehow involved in the politics of the kingdom. Perhaps they are a hired mercenary, selling their services to the highest bidder. They are the "armor" that protects the kingdom, but at a cost. The kingdom must pay in both money and favors to keep the singer on their side.
The final lines of the song, "Impaling every born knight / Raiding / Pierced the hole right / Send all your kingdom's gold / And favor the keeper's soul / I am your armor" suggest that the singer may not be as noble as they first appeared. They are willing to impale even the born knights, raid the kingdom, and take whatever they want. The ultimate message of the song may be that in a world of violence and power, no one can truly be trusted, and even the noblest of heroes can be corrupted.
Line by Line Meaning
Harsh men hang their own kind
Cruel people turn against their own kind
Soothsayer flings a dull knife
A person who predicts the future does nothing helpful
Send all your kingdom's gold
Give away all your riches
And favor the keeper's soul
Show kindness and support towards a person in charge
I am your armor
I will protect you
Impaling every born knight
Defeating every worthy opponent
Raiding
Plundering
Pierced the hole right
Struck the target accurately
I am your armor
I will protect you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Steve Brooks, Rick Smith, Juan Montoya, Jonathan Nuñez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind