1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
We are from the Czech Republic and our band was founded in 2013. Till 2013 three members played in the band called Sezarbil and leaving that band was the first step to start Torc. We are open to all styles from the genre and textual point of view and our music offers a whole range of moods and feelings.
2.In March you had released your first album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
2. Right at the beginning of recording we had the idea about the form of the recordings, and how the sound should be added in order not to lose anything in the tracks. We needed a clear, concrete sound of guitars for which we needed to decrease gain to obtain a comprehensible and full guitar sound. And in view of the fact that there are several death/thrash/heavy passages which need a solid base made by the increase of guitar gain, we had to record the basic guitars on four tracks. Only then in their sum the track picked up the strength. The guitars are completed with a bass guitar, on which we didn´t add any effect, to support the readability of the guitars. Drums and vocals are also significant. We lowered the vocals a bit and gave the drums a bit unclean character. The result represents a readable, aggressive and dynamic album.
3.You label your music as 'black core', can you tell us a little bit more about this term?
3. Black core represents our designation which partly characterizes our genre frame of mind. Since the album is not of one genre only and we wanted to avoid the labelling like Black/Death/Thrash/HC metal band, we have chosen a universal designation of our work. Black core itself is definitely not a precise term and does not bring the idea about all genres which appear and blend on the album. As the ones of a few, we employed HC genre among Black metal passages so the idea of Black core designating appeared to be suitable for us. And I think that there is no band which would use this designation so we can offer the listeners all mentioned above and this is very important for us. The album Tóny Annwnu is very disunited one from the view of genre labelling.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
4. The present view on the society which is oppressed by the incompetent politicians is reflected in the texts. The track Divize duchů (Ghosts´ division) remembers the war times. In the texts Co neslyšíme (What we don´t hear) and Ztraceni v sobě (Lost in ourselves) personal emotional confessions are reflected, and last but not least, our Celtic roots and its themes are also the part of the texts.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Torc?
5. Torc is a short form of the word Torques. Torques itself is a term that comes from the time of the Celts who called so a circular ornament that they wore around their neck. It was a symbol of power which was worn by rulers, or druids. In our Torc logo this torques is exactly drawn, too.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
6. A very successful concert was the one with the bands Hecate Enthroned, Valkyrja, Ad Hominem etc. at Hell Fast Attack festival. Open festivals have their own unique atmosphere and we like to play at these events. The next successful event was the concert with Polish Arkona. The club was packed and the fans were great.
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
7. Of course, this year we will play four concerts with our brothers from the band Sekhmet. Then we are taking a break because this year we are visiting the recording studio again. We are in a period of re-composing and creating a new material for a split album which will be released later this year, but I´m not going to reveal more yet.
8.The album was released on 'Murderous Music Production', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
8. Murderous Production is a Czech label we´ve had a long experience with from the time of Sezarbil. They have been on the scene for many years and we have a good experience with them and friendly relations. The label itself has made such releases as Žrec – Paměti, or LP reissue debut album Inferno – Duch slovanské síly and they are also co-organizers of Hell Fast Attack festival.
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
9. We´ve met only positive reactions from all sides so far. We´ve gained a lot of new fans and new contacts as well, and we are glad that we have filled the gap genre from a certain perspective, and offered something new. It is perceived in the same way by the people around judging from their reactions on our album.
10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that the band members are a part of?
10. It's difficult to lead one band and even more difficult to engage in more bands in which we participate. It's much more difficult for us to plan everything, as you have mentioned right, Torc is not the only band for everyone involved. Everything needs to be planned well and we need to organize our free time in order to dedicate it to both bands. Our drummer Gulage plays in a grindcore band called Syphilitic Vaginal, which is heading into the studio, and I have been working with the band Inferno, which is also finding itself in the period of preparation and recording the new album. Everything works well, it's just about planning long in advance.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
11. The current development continues at a similar pattern. Genre openness, emphasis on melody and energy. The newly prepared material is still and all different from our debut. It's more black metal and recently there have been added many guitar arrangements, layering of guitars, more technique elements and the scope for creating moods and emotions.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
12. Naming bands that are a source of inspiration to me would be a long writing. More important are the genres that I listen to and which affect me a lot. I love medieval choral music and I am a passionate listener of symphonies, flamencos and blues. I follow the development of rock music since its birth and together with this the start of metal music that I love in all its forms. All this represents a great inspiration for me, and I'm sure all of this is reflected in composing of my music.
13.How would you describe your views on Paganism?
13. Link to our pagan past is not only reflected in the very name of the band but partly also in our lyrics. But it is not the central theme of our lyrics and we can´t even say that any of us would be the "real" neo pagan in the true sense of the word. At least not certainly a practising one. Yet it is a part of our past that we carry in the blood. It can often influence our attitudes, thinking, and our relationship to it is therefore understandably entirely positive.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
14. Thank you for this interview. I am glad to have this opportunity to introduce the band Torc. Later this year we will release a split album and I believe that the boundaries set by the band's debut album will be moved a step forth. Finally, I would like to mention that the news about the band including the lyrics to each song can be found on our official website www.torc.cz which can be completely switched into English.
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