An underground sludge metal supergroup, Florida outfit Torche were formed in 2004 by former members of Floor and Cavity, immediately setting themselves apart by combining grimy riffs with classic power-pop hooks. While the band's early releases got heads banging, it was '08's ultra-catchy but super-heavy breakthrough album, Meanderthal, that launched the band into the alt-rock spotlight. Not many extreme metal acts count Guided By Voices and The Beach Boys among their influences, but Torche's sound is a thrilling combination of soaring melodies and pounding grooves.