We have a beautiful melodic death metal band from Finland called Torchia. Now, I'm going to be completely honest. I never heard of this band until yesterday when this album came out, which means I am unfamiliar with their 2017 debut Of Curses and Greif. But ever since 24 hours ago I have had their new album titled The Coven on repeat!
This record slaps! I absolutely love the pitch harmonic style guitar riffs and the solos are very well constructed. You can tell when bands take their time writing music because you can notice all the hard work these guys put in. Each song has more than one riff and you can hear every single note being played.
This band's overall theme and tones sets an audible stage for any first time listener. In the beginning of the first track "Sky", we are greeted by the haunting call of a siren's song coming from what we imagine are witches belting in the woods. It is eerie but only for a few seconds as the music immediately picks up with the first of many riffs to come. That first melody pulls you in and keeps you listening until the second and main riff comes in and really hooks you. It is a tremendous opening that gives you a taste of something you want more of, and more is what you will get!
A song that peaked my interest was the following song "Gallows". Later in the album we are treated with my personal favorites back to back "Memoirs" and "Astral Planes". Those two stood out the most to me because of the musical structure. Everything just seem to flow evenly and that producer needs a raise for his mixing skills.
The Coven was a delight to my ears especially since when I saw the album cover, my first thought was "Okay, so we got the levitating naked witches with tree roots erupting from the mouths and a grey wolf. Yep, this is black metal." How wrong of me to judge a book by it's cover? Instead I was treated to my most favorite subgenre which is the glorious music known as melodic death metal. I am more than grateful that Robert introduced me to this amazing band. I will definitely check out their debut and I certainly look forward to a future album in the next few years.

Intro music by CONTRA; intro voice by Veronica Ortiz Rodriguez. Thanks to Asher Media Relations for providing a promo copy for review.