Touche Amore Dallas: The Musical Ode to Grief

The latest album from Touche Amore, titled *Stage Four*, is a poignant and powerful tribute to the grieving process. Singer Jeremy Bolm's deeply personal lyrics are woven throughout the album, offering a glimpse into his own struggles with loss and grief after the passing of his mother Sandy in 2014.

Bolm's unique vocal style, often described as a hoarse monotone, adds an air of authenticity to the album's emotional depth. His words paint vivid images of childhood memories, sun-faded postcards, and other everyday items that hold significance in the face of loss. The result is an autobiographical tragedy that soars despite the overwhelming urge to succumb.

What sets *Stage Four* apart from previous albums is Bolm's increased focus on melody. Gone are the days when guitarists Clayton Stevens and Nick Steinhart shouldered the burden of heavy lifting, with every lyric meticulously crafted to fit a ragged note. Instead, Bolm takes center stage, his melodic initiatives soaring in unexpected ways.

The album's themes of grief and loss are deeply relatable, especially for those who have experienced the devastating effects of cancer on their loved ones. Bolm's struggles with anxiety, depression, and toxic relationships add an extra layer of complexity to the album's narrative.

On Halloween 2014, during a performance at The Fest in Gainesville, Florida, Bolm received news of his mother's passing. Two years prior, he had appeared to be on the mend after the release of *Is Survived By*, but the loss of his mother sent him tumbling back into a pit of doubt.

Through his music, Bolm offers a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with similar demons. His hyper-confessional lyrics are a testament to the power of art in the face of adversity, and *Stage Four* stands as a testament to Touche Amore's ability to craft music that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

In short, *Stage Four* is a triumph, an album that defies expectations and transcends genre boundaries. It is a must-listen for fans of hardcore punk and anyone seeking solace in the face of grief.

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