Light The Torch - Revival (2018) Country of origin: United States
Location: Los Angeles, California
Status: Active
Formed in: 2017
Genre: Metalcore
Lyrical themes: Corruption, Personal Struggles, Society, Redemption
Label: Nuclear Blast
Years active: 2017-present
Line-Up: Francesco Artusato Guitars
Howard Jones Vocals
Ryan Wombacher Bass
Mike "Scuzz" Sciulara Drums
Discography: The Beauty of Destruction Full-length 2014 (Formerly Devil You Know)
They Bleed Red Full-length 2015 (Formerly Devil You Know)
Revival Full-length 2018
Track List: 1. Die Alone
2. The God I Deserve
3. Calm Before The Storm
4. Raise The Dead
5. The Safety Of Disbelief
6. Virus
7. The Great Divide
8. The Bitter End
9. Lost In The Fire
10. The Sound Of Violence
11. Pull My Heart Out
12. Judas Convention
Biography: As Devil You Know (2012–2017):
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The band started when drummer John Sankey (Devolved) and guitarist Francesco Artusato (All Shall Perish, Hiss of Atrocities) began jamming and writing together in 2012. After 30 to 40 song ideas were written the two decided to look for a vocalist. A couple of early demo recordings were sent to Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage, Blood Has Been Shed) who subsequently got interested and joined the band in late 2012. They named the band "Devil You Know." In early 2013 the band started recording with producer and ex-Machine Head guitarist Logan Mader (Gojira, Five Finger Death Punch). On October 23, 2013 it was announced the band signed to Nuclear Blast. A day later the first demo song "Shut It Down" was released online through the band's Facebook page. On October 31, 2013 the demo was released officially through the label YouTube channel.
On December 19, 2013 it was announced that the band finished recording of the album and that bassist Ryan Wombacher (Bleeding Through) and guitarist Roy Lev-Ari (Hiss of Atrocities) joined the band. In February–March, 2014 the band took part in Soundwave Festival in Australia. On March 5, 2014 the debut single "Seven Years Alone" was released. On March 27, 2014 the official music video for "Seven Years Alone" was released. The band's debut album The Beauty of Destruction mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris was released on April 24 (EU), April 28 (UK) and April 29, 2014 (US and the rest of the world) via Nuclear Blast. It charted at the #50 in Billboard 200 selling nearly 6,000 units in the first week.
In April–June, 2014 the band took part in Revolver Golden Gods Tour with Black Label Society, Down and Butcher Babies. On October 31, 2014, a music video for "It's Over" was released.On March 9, 2015, the band released an official music video for "As Bright as the Darkness. In June 2015, the band started recording the second album. On September 10, 2015, the band released "Stay of Execution", the first single off the second album titled They Bleed Red which was released on November 6, 2015, via Nuclear Blast.
As Light the Torch (2017–present):
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On July 26, 2017, the band announced via social media that they have changed their name to Light the Torch, without explanation beyond stating "A full statement will be made soon and a new album is very close to being completed. It’s a new beginning and we couldn’t be more excited.”Jones revealed in an interview on October 13, 2017, that the band had to change its name due to legal issues surrounding Sankey's departure from the band, and how the latter wanted to claim part copyright of the name. Light the Torch will release their new studio album "Revival" on March 30.
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The winds of change most definitely fanned the flame for LIGHT THE TORCH. On their 2018 full-length debut »Revival«, the Los Angeles, CA trio—Howard Jones [vocals], Francesco Artusato [guitar], and Ryan Wombacher [bass]—drew from five years together as DEVIL YOU KNOW only to forge a wholly distinct path. Amidst myriad struggles, they returned from the brink under a new banner.
“2016 was a really tough year for us as a band, both personally and professionally,” admits Howard. “While going through some lineup changes we were also battling some issues with the use of our band name. At the same time, I was trying to deal with the loss of my oldest brother which really hit me hard. During that time, we just bonded like never before. We all meshed because we faced war together. We survived. At the end, we realized we were a real band and decided to make an album representing that resilience. Honestly, we came out of the dark. The name literally signifies what we went through.”
The musicians quietly struck the match for LIGHT THE TORCH during 2017. Without so much as telling either the label or management, they wrote the 12 anthems comprising »Revival« and recorded them in Los Angeles with the help of WOVENWAR and AS I LAY DYING bassist and producer Josh Gilbert [BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SUICIDE SILENCE] behind the board. Joined by EXTINCTION A.D. drummer Mike “Scuzz” Sciulara behind the kit, the guys put their heads down and really focused on making an album as a whole, placing more emphasis on the songs flowing cohesively from one to the next. “It was time for a change,” the frontman continues. “It was time for us to try and stretch our wings. We were really going for songs. The structuring made more sense. I was focused on melody and harmony. I really cut loose. All in all, it was the perfect storm. We had so much fun making this, because there were really no restrictions other than creating a heavy and catchy body of work.” The boys introduce the record with the first single and opener ‘Die Alone’. Powered by airtight riffing and a hummable lead, the verses immediately engage before the vocalist croons the anthemic refrain: “There’s nothing in the shadows, and you will be the one to die alone.”
“It was one of the first demos Fran showed me,” he recalls. “I listened to it while cruising around the UK on tour. It just worked. Lyrically, that song was like a letter to myself that I had jotted down from all of the stuff I’d been through.” Elsewhere, ‘Calm Before The Storm’ builds from a thick guitar groove into an expansive chant. “It’s about trying to be there for those who need you,” Howard explains. “Everybody knows someone who needs a hand getting through tough times. While some may be beyond help, you never know when you can be the hand that makes a difference.” Whether on the robust balladry of ‘The Great Divide’ or the pensive vulnerability of ‘The Safety of Disbelief’, melody takes center stage, driving one anthem after another.
“I write sappy songs,” he laughs. “There was enough that we had gone through that I had a whole wealth of emotions and stories. Some are fiction. Some are non-fiction. Some may apply to me. Some may not. If you listen closely, I promise you can hear where we’ve been and where we’re going.” As far as “where they’ve been” goes, LIGHT THE TORCH maintains one of the most esteemed pedigrees in modern heavy music. From Howard’s decade at the helm of GRAMMY® Award-nominated and gold-selling titans KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and Francesco’s much-lauded stint in ALL SHALL PERISH and status as a shred virtuoso to Ryan’s tenure in BLEEDING THROUGH, there’s no shortage of experience. Still, »Revival« marks an important moment for all three men.
“It was a long road to get here,” reveals the singer. “We reworked everything. Once we started this, things snowballed. It was like, ‘Wow, we can breathe again.’ »Revival« felt like the appropriate name.” Ultimately, LIGHT THE TORCH ignites the future for not only its members but metal at large.
/ XBTT (1) by Dejavu
