Blo.Torch is a Dutch melodic death metal band from The Hague. Freely mixing genres, their style has been described as black metal."Luistersessie met Adam Bomb", on VPRO3voor12. Formed by Marvin Vriesde and Hassan Moechtar in 1996, they experienced a breakthrough when Terrorizer gave their debut demo, The Plot Sickens..., a good review, which caught the attention of Earache Records label manager Dan Tobin. After contacting the band and listening to more material, he offered BloTorch a record deal with Earache sublabel Wicked World Records. Blo.Torch released their self titled debut album on Wicked World in 1999. Blo.Torch and Wicked World parted ways in 2001.
In the following years, Blo.Torch recorded two more demos and replaced vocalist Michel de Wilde with Chris van der Valk. In 2004, Blo.Torch won the regional talent competition De Grote Prijs van Zuid-Holland (The Grand Prize of South Holland)."Veel collegialiteit, hoog niveau, en een goede sfeer:Finale Grote Prijs van Zuid-Holland", on VPRO3voor12. Winning the regional leg earned them a place in the national finals, De Grote Prijs van Nederland (The Grand Prize of The Netherlands), but did not win.
Still unsigned, the band released another full-length album, Volatile, in 2004. In 2005, guitarist Marvin Vriesde left the band to focus on his other band, Severe Torture. Rory Hansen replaced him.
In October 2006, Blo.Torch played their last show in De Baroeg, Rotterdam.
Overview Founding members Hassan Moechtar and Marvin Vriesde were joined by Sander Koole (formerly with Cypher). After a demo, they recorded an eponymous album, which was picked up by Wicked World, a sublabel of Earache Records, who signed the band in 2000. The band complained about lack of support, and recorded and released the follow-up, Volatile, independently."Blo.Torch keert terug aan het metaalfront", on VPRO3voor12. Since recording that album, the band has played smaller festivals and venues in the Netherlands.
In July 2005, Vriesde left the band (he is also active in Dew-Scented"Een zinderend Metropolis 2005", on VPRO3voor12.) and was replaced with Rory Hansen, formerly of Bagga Bownz."Rory Hansen vervangt Marvin in Blo.Torch", on VPRO3voor12. The band's website announced in 2006 that bassist Sander Koole left to pursue other musical interests. The band's website has not been updated since 7 October 2006.
Members Current members Hassan Moechtar - guitars Rory Hansen - guitars Pascal Rappailles - drums Chris van der Valk - vocals
Past members Sander Koole - bass John den Buitelaar - drums Michel de Wilde - vocals Marvin Vriesde - guitars
Discography The Plot Sickens... (Demo, 1997) Blo.Torch (Album, Wicked World/Earache, 1999) Demo 2001 (Demo, 2001) Plan B (Promo CD, 2002) Volatile (Album, 2004)
References
External links Official site Myspace page Blo.Torch on Satan Stoly My Teddybear Blo.Torch news on VPRO Blo.Torch on Muziek Centrum Nederland