Italy’s Slowtorch Ignite Fiery Riffs & High Octane Rhythms on ‘The Machine Has Failed’

The Italian stoner metal scene has really been flourishing over the past several years. Its vibrant spirit and gritty heft reminds me a lot of Greece over the last decade, with the emergence of punchy acts like 1000mods, Planet of Zeus, and Puta Volcano. Electric Valley Records has been paying attention, too. They’re latest signing is SLOWTORCH, the four-member crew of heavy haulers hailing from the city of Bolzano in northern Italy.

Here is a band that puts on high energy performances with accessible, relevant lyrics. With one full-length notched on the belt already (2014’s Serpente), the band once known as Godmachine prior to their 2005 reincarnation, now returns with a riveting 9-tracker. ‘The Machine Has Failed’ (2022) is a salvo of hefty beats and sizzling riffs from one side to the next.

Lyrically, the songs have less to do with drunken revelry than with contemplation about the present state of a world emerging from pandemic. As we peer into the hazy unknown, we wonder what civilization will become.

Behold man
He brazenly walks among the gods
To steal their fire and rule his kind
To boldly fly to distant worlds

Oh, the heavy price
Blunted fangs
Clouded eyes
Leaden legs

I am man
He screams at the stars
Crawled from the sea
To march against the sun

In the wake of COVID-19, the cracks and fissures of the machines lay exposed to everyone as we veered ever so precariously toward total societal collapse. Indeed “fear is the North Star,” as the band sings. It seems to be the real foundation of society, evidenced by the outbreak of war soon after plague. Given the fundamental nature of humanity, can we hope for better?

Frontman Matteo Meloni’s vocals burn smooth and clean, with the kind of heartiness that turns every verse into a fist-raising rocker. I was hoping for another exhibition of that grungy Alice in Chain dual vocal harmony that I loved so much in the song “27” from the EP, '4 Barrel Retribution’ (2011), but that was over a decade ago and the band’s sound today sounds less jaded and more spiked with urgency, conviction.

Bassist Karl Sandner and drummer Fabio Sforza comprise a hardworking and unrelenting rhythm section, providing the ideal launching pad for Bruno Bassi’s guitarwork to sparkle and fly.

The band had this to share with Doomed & Stoned readers about the return effort that stands before us:

‘The Machine Has Failed’ is a part portrayal of our times, part social commentary. Some of the lyrics are heavily influenced by Huxley and Bradbury (Brave New World, The Island, Fahrenheit 451, etc.), both of whom seem just as relevant now as they were then, while some songs represent our perception of the times we live in as it becomes increasingly clear that ‘the machine’ has indeed failed.

Slowtorch’s new album drops April 29th on Electric Valley Records (pre-order here). Ahead of its weekend release you can party on with this, the world premiere! Stick it in a playlist with Sevendust, Kal-El, Space Coke, Green Desert Water, High Reeper, and Hypnopilot.

Give ear…

SOME BUZZ

Electric Valley Records presents Slowtorch’s sophomore full-length, The Machine Has Failed, due out 29 April 2022 on multiple variants of vinyl, in addition to digital release.

Formed in 2005, Italian stoner metal force Slowtorch has consistently delivered their signature barrage of straightforward, driving riffs, pounding drums, throbbing bass lines, and roaring vocals on stages across Europe. Think of Clutch meeting the forces of Black Sabbath and Corrosion of Conformity, and you will get the notion of the tough, paranoid, and vibrant tones Slowtorch peddles.

Having a couple of EPs and a full-length (titled 'Serpente’) under their belt, they have shared stages with acts such as Orange Goblin, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, Volbeat, Suicidal Tendencies, Yawning Man, Mondo Generator, Colour Haze, and Truckfighters. The Bolzano quartet’s current line-up, comprising Matteo Meloni (vocals), Bruno Bassi (guitars), Karl Sandner (bass), and Fabio Sforza (drums), has remained together for a decade, dating back to 2012.

On the upcoming album, The Machine Has Failed, Slowtorch rides out the storm with full strength and slow-burning grooves, capturing both the low-end stoner vibes and the incredible ‘70s metal/hard rock sparkles. A part of the record is a portrait of the current era, and the other part reflects the social commentary. Some of the lyrics are heavily influenced by the works of Huxley (Brave New World, Island) and Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451).