Torche

Torche's latest full-length, this year's furious Meanderthal, out-rocks just about everything that's been released this decade. From the super-sub-low rumbles and lightning-blast guitar riffage of opening tune "Triumph of Venus" to the apocalyptic death-knell hits of the epic title track, Meanderthal perpetually grinds forward, like some kind of improvised escape route from a crumbling, doomed city. But the Miami band's catchy vocal and guitar hooks, and penchant for keeping its songs short and to the point — most come in around the three-minute mark — help propel the album. In fact, "Grenades" takes obvious cues from Gone Glimmering-era Chavez by stealthily hiding a catchy pop tune under a canopy of super-dissonant, detuned guitar buzzing.