Torchbearer - Lighting the fire in London

*****
Filling the Hardcore cap left by Everytime I Die splitting

Torchbearer ***** are a band that I have been hearing a lot about, coming out of London. This Hardcore Punk four piece explore the D.I.Y. ethics of classic bands while mixing things with a modern feel and attitude. The band consists of Andy Marsell (Vocals), Ollie Gould (Guitarist / Vocalist), Mo Bashir (Bass) and new member Ollie Sitford (Drums) who joined last year. If you have not heard Torchbearer before, then all you need to know is that they have a bad ass attitude and an intensity that I have not seen for a long time.

If your a fan of bands such as HIMSA, Amen, Gallows, Cancer Bats and Everytime I Die, then you really can't ignore Torchbearer because your going to love them. I really didn't know what to expect from Torchbearer before I turned up to the Fiddlers Elbow, London, so would tonight be what I expected. I had been recommended Torchbearer by friends of mine, but so many recommendations that I get are just not correct... but this time I would find everything was as it had been told to me to be. I had been listening to their music on the journey, and it also comes across the same on the record... which shows they sound the same on recording as well as the live arena.

They start the set with with an intro and short track 'Solace' title track of their album, before bursting into killer single 'Frostbite' which you can see the video for at the bottom of this page. If you love the Cancer Bats, you will really love this track with the soaring guitars and the brilliant up tempo groove. It's amazing it took Torchbearer six years to release their album 'Solace', but then great tracks take time to write... and 'Frostbite' is an instant classic and a track that will be on my playlist for years.

'Ascender' starts off crowd movements, and the singer Andy going into the front of the crowd to scream at people. But what I like best is that Andy and Ollie Gould mix up their vocals, which makes Torchbearer a better and more dynamic band. The intensity lifts up on 'All our Warfare', which is a standout track. But I would say one of my personal highlights of the bands set was the new single 'Never Forgive', which is a blast of pure power... and shows what the band can truly do and that you will be seeing them very soon at a much bigger venue. 

The venue is so hot, that electronic devices are having the worst day of their lives. Also so are Torchbearer, who stopped at the service station on the way to the gig and had their snare and other equipment stolen. Let's hope they catch the scumbag who took their stuff, it's hard enough for a touring band to make money at the moment. Without some complete waster doing this to them.All these problems, still didn't effect the band playing an amazing set... that any band would be proud of. If you don't know Torchbearer, then why don't you download their new album 'Solece'. Or buy it on a pysical format, this is the prefered way we like people to buy things. 

I have to say Torchbearer's set goes by way too quick, with last three songs going by in a blink of an eye. But then I think shorter tracks, sometimes make a bigger impact. I love the groove on 'Dopesick', and the blast of crazyness of 'Vultures' and 'Paralysed'... which end the set in the right way. Torchbearer is a band that are going place, so look out for them playing at a venue near you. You won't be disappointed, they put on a great live show.

Torchbearer - Setlist
---------------------------------
Solace
Frostbite 
Four Walls
Ascender 
psychosis
All our Warfare
Never Forgive
Slaver
Dopesick
Vultures 
Paralysed

Review and Photo's by Dan Devour

Check Out! the Video for 'Frostbite' Below...