motel void

Tor Rot is an up-and-coming English band from Nottingham, and “deviate” is their debut single. While I’m typically not the biggest fan of metal, Tor Rot offers a refreshing take on the genre by blending it with influences from other musical styles like shoegaze and Midwest emo.

What stands out to me is their ability to balance intensity with emotional depth. Their raw energy and stripped-back composition give the track a sense of immediacy. The vocals, while expressive, are mixed in such a way that they don’t overshadow the instrumentation. Instead, they weave into the soundscape as another layer, adding texture without dominating the track—a testament to the producer’s skill.

I can imagine that experiencing this live would be even more captivating. In many ways, their sound reminds me of some of my favorite post-hardcore bands, like At the Drive-In, who also mastered the art of blending genres and creating something visceral and emotionally charged.

Tor Rot is definitely a band to watch. Their debut single hints at a promising future, and I’m excited to see where they take their sound from here.