Torchia is back with a vengeance.
Since their debut in 2010, the band now featuring Nox (vocals, ex-Kuilu), Villemorte (guitar/vocals), Henri von Hardy (guitar), Vulkan (bass/backing vocals), and Vincent Oscar Mill (drums) has been making waves in the Melodic Death Metal scene. In 2026, they signed with Rockshots Records for the release of their fourth album, They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness.
We dive right into the heart of the matter with Nekromanteion, a majestic yet violent opening track where the various vocal parts lend a theatrical quality, particularly through the alternation between screams and powerful choruses. We have these same orchestrations on Hellmouth, the next track, which also features piercing, haunting leads that offer some catchy Heavy Metal influences before transitioning into Into Hell’s heavy tones, which delivers a much darker atmosphere while drawing on virulent old-school roots. The harmonics add a lively touch to the rhythm section, then we plunge into horror with Hellstorm and its oppressive dramatic accents, as well as that long central break that lets us catch our breath before taking the next wave head-on, leading us toward Die Amour and its more imposing approach. The band creates a striking contrast between the track’s melancholy, especially through lyrics, and the aggression of certain sections, before shifting to more dissonant elements on The Tiamat Machine, a track where the madness takes on a slightly more chaotic edge, relying on an energetic, groovy foundation to maintain its cohesion. The track is quite long, allowing the leads to run wild before giving way to Black Cat, a much shorter and more direct composition fueled by Swedish influences that hits hard without holding back, then hands the baton to Stygian Waters, crafted with sharp harmonics that perfectly complement the imposing rhythm section. The album is already drawing to a close with Sanguine Masquerade, a new track marked by stark contrasts between its biting leads with somber tones and its massive, highly aggressive foundation that proudly displays its Finnish coldness, particularly during the sharp accelerations, but also in the much slower break before the final charge.
While it’s obvious to guess which country Torchia hails from, it’s also certain that fans of Melodic Death Metal will quickly fall in love with They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness! Coldness and raw power always make an excellent combination.
90/100
