2nd December 2025

Review: “To Non-Existence” by Torch Us

“You may consider this EP as an representation of a journey towards the certain end.” ~ Mikko Nurmi, vocals

That sounds fairly ominous, doesn’t it? It is written that vocalist Mikko Nurmi, drummer Janne Kodisoja, bassist Kim Orden alongside guitarist duo Ville Oksanen and Antti Kivikoski, better known as Finnish Melodic Death Metal act Torch Us, climbed from their open graves in Turku in 2022. Resurrected with the desire to create haunting riffs, dark grooves and unfiltered emotion, they then proved their vision was clear with September 2024 debut EP “Derailed“. That offered up a blend of old school, raw and intense sounds that left scorch marks in its wake, incorporating elements of Death Groove as if just to prove a point. So what do the former members of Sortokausi, Murder In Art and Necrospiritual have to offer with their second chapter?

The answer is that question is simple. “To Non-Existence” is just over fifteen minutes of Death Groove that leaves you shaking like a dog pissing because like a drug addict by the end of it you need so much more or a stint in rehab awaits. Opening cut “Sworn” sounds like it was a demo carved from the early days of Lamb Of God with fleeting sinister riffs embellishing powerful Groove Death rhythms that bulldoze their way through your skull like a snow plough in the depths of winter. Nurmi is a vastly experienced vocalist who has cut his teeth on at least six projects (that we know of) before this one and his fierce prowess goes a long way to giving the bands sonic abrasions that killer instinct. He’s the perfect foil for these masterful musicians and wastes no time demonstrating that. “I Am Eternal” continues in a similar vein, Nurmi offering up some seismic roars as the band offer up something that flirts with the kind of burnt offering you might expect from a band like Devildriver. A rich, melodic bridge harks back to the early days of American Metalcore circa 2003, the intricate drum fills from Kodisoja adding depth and texture and the riffs from the top tier. The musicianship is impeccable and the dedication to crafting these songs impressive, leaving us to wonder why they’re not signed to a major label and touring across Europe. They should be because the quality here is jaw dropping as well as having the instant appeal of a cold beer on hot day. “As Shadows” just goes to prove that sentiment to be correct. Conjuring a dark and brooding atmosphere with thunderous percussion, slick riffs and burning energy the band also add a couple of clean vocal passages as if just to confirm they have that within their locker should they choose to use it. Death is just the beginning [8/10]

Track Listing