Brisbane's 'petalcore' pioneers Torizon have announced the release of their powerful debut concept EP, 'Meliora', a bold and deeply personal statement on a subject often shrouded in silence: fertility struggles. The six-track release, which charts the emotional journey of two characters, Luna and Samson, is a testament to resilience and healing. To mark the occasion, the band has unveiled the poignant new single and final chapter, 'Hold On'.
Produced and mixed by Kalen Austin and mastered by Mike Kalajian (known for his work with Bad Omens and Papa Roach), 'Hold On' finds a breathtaking balance between modern metal's crushing weight and a delicate, almost fragile, vulnerability. Mish Sharma and Ben Gallaher’s stunning call-and-response vocals interweave over proggy guitars, high-impact rhythms, and shimmering strings, creating a stirring and cathartic finale that truly embodies the EP's title, ‘Meliora’, from the Latin phrase ‘Ad Meliora’ or ‘towards better things’.
Torizon spoke about the inspiration behind the EP, stating, “We wanted this EP to hopefully create a deeper sense of understanding about fertility struggles, which is not often talked about... 'Hold On' is our way of urging listeners to keep pushing forward, even in their darkest moments."
Accompanying the track is a moving short film by Emerge Creative, which sees Luna and Samson reconnecting and offering support to other couples navigating similar challenges. As Mish explains, the video pays homage to assisted reproductive technology, an area she has personal experience with as an egg donor. "I've witnessed firsthand the difference it can make for couples trying to start a family, and we wanted to pay homage to assisted reproductive technology," she said.
The band's singles leading up to 'Meliora' have already garnered significant attention, finding support from major music publications and radio stations across Australia and New Zealand, including triple j and Apple Music's 'Breaking Hard Rock' playlist.
Beyond the studio, Torizon's impact extends into the wider music community. Mish was recently a panel speaker at Sydney's UsFest, standing alongside other prominent figures like Emmy Mack of RedHook to spotlight minorities in the heavy music scene. Now, the group is set to take their electrifying live performances on the road for their first-ever East Coast headline tour this October. Joined by Naarm/Melbourne's alt-metal act New Million, the tour will hit Eora/Sydney, Naarm/Melbourne, and Meanjin/Brisbane, with tickets available at torizon.band.
For more, connect with Torizon today on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
