EP REVIEW: Against The Tide – Torchbearer

From the ashes of BLOWGOAT and COLLAPSE comes TORCHBEARER – a frenetic, volatile quartet looking to find their slot in amongst modern hardcore’s contemporary trend setters. Going into the bands debut EP Against The Tide, you may be tempted into the idea that the band’s most fascinating component is their back story. But you’ll soon come to realise: it’s TORCHBEARER‘s potential upwards trajectory from here that is by far their most enticing quirk.

It’s noteworthy how despite the bands search to fit into the hardcore genre in 2019 it’s relatively difficult to find an exact spot for them – and that’s meant in the most complimentary way possible. At times having the chorus ticks of COMEBACK KID, at others rattling off the low tuned breakdown sludge reminiscent of AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK – TORCHBEARER leapfrog from sub-genre to sub-genre quite often throughout Against The Tide.

But make no mistake – this IS a hardcore band we’re talking about here, and EP opener Time Served is a prompt introduction. Somewhat lacklustre in its chorus but withholding the kind of pacey backdrop fans of THE GHOST OF A THOUSAND are bound to quiver over. It’s within its unhooked, visceral elements though that Against The Tide makes its most memorable attack. The closing one-two hammer blow of Drown and Torchbearer are lathered in a groove laden metal force field designed to tear through its victims. Guitarist Ollie Gould manages to throw out riffs that either bludgeon, or slither around the bands rhythm section – it makes for some truly brutal battering sections. See the closing breakdown on the latter for an utterly skull crushing experience.

Instead of being a comeback story for two bands that never managed to work out, Against The Tide is an EP that opens doors in its own right. TORCHBEARER are the kind of proposition that hardcore in general can never have too many of: young, hungry, and seemingly open to try anything. Most importantly – this is four musicians that appear to be reaching their musical apex, and where this goes from here might be anyone’s guess, but it’s worth sticking your money on this band making an impact.

Rating: 7/10

Against The Tide is set for release July 12th via self release.

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