California hardcore outfit Torena doesn’t play by the rules on their latest release, No Control, out now via DAZE. This album feels like a raw embodiment of frustration, pushing the boundaries of what metallic hardcore can deliver. With each track, you can feel the weight of internal struggles—mental health, the chaos of the world, and the inevitable eruption of rage that comes with it. It’s an uncompromising look at life when the control we seek slips further from our grasp.
There’s a pulse throughout No Control that’s unmistakable, a relentless surge of aggression guided by guitarists Julien Urias and Dante Denoms. Urias’s vocals don’t just scream—they seethe. The band describes their lyrical approach as grounded in “a pessimistic view, but a real perspective,” and that’s evident from the very start. The title track is a sonic wrecking ball, pounding out the frustration of feeling trapped by a world spiraling out of hand.
It’s not just about aggression for aggression’s sake, though. No Control has a precision that’s the mark of a band growing into their sound. Working with Taylor Young at Studio 606 and The Pit, the album is a cleaner, tighter beast than their earlier Evil Eyez EP. And yet, the rawness remains.
The riffs feel like they’re pulling the listener into the pit, while the breakdowns hit with enough force to make your chest tighten. On “Trusting Soul,” Mauricio Marquez’s guest vocals add depth to the emotional weight, making the track feel both personal and universal in its message of distrust and disillusionment.
Tracks like “Fueled by Rage” don’t mince words or energy. This is music that doesn’t let you sit still—whether you’re in the crowd or alone in your room. Torena’s grooves, often compared to Hatebreed by fans and press alike, bring a sense of camaraderie amid the violence.
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The catharsis of screaming along feels like a necessary purge in these times of chaos, a way to survive the relentless onslaught of daily life. It’s a survival record for those who feel like they’re on the edge, reminding listeners that while we may not control the world around us, we can still find release through music that understands the struggle.
Tour Dates with Sunami + Ingrown:
10/04 Seattle, WA – El Corazon (feat. Apex Predator)
10/05 Portland, OR – Hawthorne (feat. Apex Predator)
10/06 Boise, ID – El Kora Shrine (feat. Apex Predator)
10/07 Salt Lake City, UT – Fellowship Sober Hall (feat. Apex Predator)
10/09 Denver, CO – Marquis (feat. Apex Predator)
10/10 Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck (feat. Apex Predator)
10/12 Minneapolis, MN – Snow and Flurry Fest (feat. Apex Predator)
10/13 Chicago, IL – Subterranean
10/14 Chicago, IL – Subterranean
10/15 Detroit, MI – Tangent Gallery
10/17 Syracuse, NY – Silver Street Event Center
10/18 Jersey City, NJ – Salty’s Beach Bar (feat. Scarab)
10/19 Boston, MA – The Middle East (feat. Scarab)
10/20 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Monarch (feat. Scarab)
10/22 Philadelphia, PA – U Church (feat. Scarab)
10/23 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Sound Stage (feat. Scarab)
10/24 Richmond, VA – The Warehouse
10/25 New Kensington, PA – Preserving Underground
10/26 Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
10/27 Louisville, KY – Portal
10/29 Nashville, TN – Exit/In
10/30 Little Rock, AR – Rev Room
10/31 Oklahoma City, OK – VFW 9265
11/01 Dallas, TX – The Studio (feat. AWOL)
11/02 Houston, TX – The End (feat. AWOL)
11/03 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger (feat. AWOL)
11/05 Mesa, AZ – The Nile (feat. AWOL)
11/06 Henderson, NV – Eagle Aerie Hall (feat. AWOL)
11/07 Santa Ana, CA – Observatory (feat. AWOL)
11/08 Ojai, CA – Camarillo Community Center (feat. AWOL)
11/09 Riverside, CA – Riverside Municipal Auditorium (feat. AWOL)
11/10 San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic (feat. AWOL)
11/11 Berkeley, CA – Gilman St (feat. AWOL)
11/17 – Tulsa, OK @ Flyover Fest
