Bombshell is Tripwire contributor Zeena Koda’s monthly metal column. In this, her first installment, Z sits down with Troy Sanders of Mastodon, Grace Perry of Landmine Marathon and the men of Torche.

Metal wouldn’t exist without three core things — intoxicants, babes and the BOOM. In this edition of Bombshell we have the trifecta for you; a legit babe who slays the mic with intelligence and beauty, as well as two seminal intoxicant heavy bands that have carved out a mark for a generation of new metalheads to adore (see: they bring the motherfuckin’ BOOM). In preparation for the onslaught of summer tours, check out what some of my current faves are getting into and get your pink ass out to the pavement to see them in full glory. I promise, with all the female advice you’ll get from this column, you’re one step closer to getting laid.
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Torche are thunderous, almost orgasmic at times and despite their newfound penchant for hauntingly catchy melodies, the earth shattering bass and drum combo sets a deafening precedence. It’s blatantly obvious I have a pretty raging hard on for the stoner-pumped metal; the greenery and doom spark like fire through these veins. Thus my amorous feelings for Torche. Conveniently falling in with the stripped down heart of the 90s post-hardcore revival with a dash of metal legitimacy, Torche have crept up like a quiet storm securing spotlights on both mainstream and underground scenes.
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Interview and words by Zeena Koda
Video by Maia Stern

My fascination with Dave Witte began the minute I heard blast beats rabidly pulsating through the walls of a dingy, yet endearing practice space in south Jersey. At the time I was in this ambitious tech metal band and my band mates quickly alerted me, “that’s Dave Witte, he’s the fucking MAN.” As a lover of all things heavy, I was privy to Dave’s projects — Discordance Axis, Melt Banana, Human Remains — but what I was hearing that glorious day was the unmistakable Burnt By the Sun. Later that day he walked by and in true Dave fashion complimented us on our sound, I stood in utter awe of a man that was not only one of the sickest drummers alive, but also stood out as a genuine, humble and approachable human being.
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The ever shrinking world of metal and underground music has lowered the caskets of two beloved publications; Metal Maniacs and Metal Edge. Although the parent company that publishes MM and ME, Zenbu Media, has also kicked jam band staple Relix Magazine to the curb, on the whole this is a stark reality check for the current state of metal music and all of its’ subsequent cultural offspring.
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