Meanderthal

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Meanderthal

| type = Studio Album

| artist = Torche

| cover = Torche_Meanderthal.jpg

| alt =

| released = April 8, 2008

| recorded = October 2007

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Stoner metal, sludge metal

| length = 36:13

| label = Hydra Head Records
Daymare Recordings

| producer = Kurt Ballou & Torche

| prev_title = In Return

| prev_year = 2007

| next_title = Healer / Across the Shields

| next_year = 2009

}}

Meanderthal is the second full-length studio album by American heavy metal band Torche. It was released on April 8, 2008.

Reception

{{Album reviews

|rev1=AllMusic

|rev1score={{Rating|4.5|5}}{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1340599}}

|rev2=AbsolutePunk.net

|rev2score=(91%){{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=342191 |title=Torche - Meanderthal - Album Review |publisher=AbsolutePunk.net |date=April 8, 2008 |accessdate=March 1, 2012}}

|rev3=Pitchfork Media

|rev3score=(8.2/10){{Cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12020-meanderthal/|title=Torche: Meanderthal|website=Pitchfork}}

|rev4=Sputnikmusic

|rev4score={{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=26006 |title=Torche - Meanderthal (album review) |publisher=Sputnikmusic |date=June 6, 2008 |accessdate=March 1, 2012}}

|rev5=SPIN

|rev5score={{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/torche-meanderthal-hydra-head |title=Torche, 'Meanderthal (Hydra Head) |date=June 25, 2008 |publisher=SPIN|accessdate=March 1, 2012}}

|rev6=Thrash Hits

|rev6score={{Rating|5.5|6}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thrashhits.com/2008/05/album-torche-meanderthal/ |title=Album: Torche – Meanderthal |publisher=Thrash Hits |date=May 29, 2008 |accessdate=March 1, 2012}}

}}

In the January 2009 issue of Decibel Magazine, Meanderthal was ranked number 1 atop the list of the Top 40 Extreme Albums of 2008.[http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=140019 Top 40 Extreme Albums of 2008 @ Decibel Magazine]

Track listing

{{Track listing

| title1 = Triumph of Venus

| length1 = 1:44

| title2 = Grenades

| length2 = 2:53

| title3 = Piraña

| length3 = 1:32

| title4 = Sandstorm

| length4 = 2:19

| title5 = Speed of the Nail

| length5 = 1:41

| title6 = Healer

| length6 = 2:07

| title7 = Across the Shields

| length7 = 3:03

| title8 = Sundown

| length8 = 3:17

| title9 = Little Champion

| length9 = 0:34

| title10 = Without a Sound

| length10 = 2:06

| title11 = Fat Waves

| length11 = 4:32

| title12 = Amnesian

| length12 = 6:25

| title13 = Meanderthal

| length13 = 4:00

| total_length = 36:13

}}

The Daymare Recordings release of the album includes the entire In Return EP as bonus tracks.

Personnel

;Band members

  • Steve Brooks – guitars and vocals
  • Juan Montoya – guitars
  • Jonathan Nuñez – bass
  • Rick Smith – drums

;Other personnel

  • Kurt Ballou – production, recording, engineering, mixing and additional guitars
  • Aaron Turner – cover artwork
  • Nick Zampiello – mastering

References

{{Reflist}}