Doomed Confessionary: David, Mathias & Marian (Torpedo Torpedo)
Torpedo Torpedo is a heavy psych power trio from Vienna, Austria. Their unique sound combines hard-hitting doom, energetic stoner groove and flowing psychedelia. David Hüttner’s soaring vocals and unique guitar tones are carried by a driving rhythm section, powered by Mathias Grether on bass and Marian Waibl on drums.
Two years ago, the band released their critically acclaimed four-song EP »The Kuiper Belt Mantras«, exploring themes of space and cosmic chasms. With their upcoming first full-length album, »Arrows Of Time«, Torpedo Torpedo delve into the subject of the often restless flow of time, the past, present and future, hope, longing and loss.
While maintaining their affinity towards heavy, fuzzed-out and doomy sounds, the band dares to explore their love for tender psychedelia and introspective ballads as well, combining it with hard-hitting, punishing stoner riffs. Time’s arrow only marches forward, but so do Torpedo Torpedo.
»Arrows Of Time« will be released on March 7th, 2025 via Electric Fire Records on vinyl, CD and digital channels.
Can you say a few words about your band?
David: Yes, so the band has existed since 2020. Founded by Marian and David. We met in an online forum, where David was searching for a drummer, and the sound description was like a mix between Dÿse, Dead Meadow, Melvins, and All Them Witches, but our influences are very broad. I guess all members have a really broad taste. Our first bass player, Alex, left the band around 2023, but we found a great substitute with Mathias. I think we are all reflective and calm people, and it’s very important for us that we have good chemistry with each other.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
David: That’s not easy to answer, since we are not professional musicians and we make the sound that we love, nothing is really a challenge. For sure, there are ups and downs, like if a member decides to go somewhere else, but it is like it is, you cannot change people’s decisions. We try to take things easy.
Marian: I definitely agree – a band is a complex being, more than just the sum of its members. You don’t always agree on everything, but you make it work. And of course, everyone puts a lot of love and effort into this affair, so you really try to give it your best, for yourself and your bandmates!
What can you be most proud of so far?
David: We got a very good response to our first EP »The Kuiper Belt Mantras«. We still think that it’s a good record, and as mentioned above, if you do jobs, university, and family, you can be proud to have the freedom to write and record music.
What was your biggest regret?
Marian: We were supposed to play an open-air show in September (if I recall correctly), but it was canceled because of really, really bad weather – it turned out to be heavy flooding in parts of Austria. Vienna still managed it well, fortunately, but it was really heavy here too. But the show is rescheduled for spring 2025, so fingers crossed for this time! But of course, a canceled concert does not compare in the slightest to destroyed homes, and even lost lives.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
David: We play mostly small venues, but playing at the Arena in Vienna is always a pleasure. The best concerts are those where there is a certain connection between us but also with the audience, not necessarily because there is a verbal exchange, but on a higher level.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
David: That AI is creating new songs from the Beatles.
Mathias: There is this amazing band called Earth Tongue. I had the chance to see them at a small and unexpected festival, and their harmonies when singing while dropping some cool heavy riffs are amazing!
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
David: I like the new Elephant Tree/Lowrider split, but also Ufomammut or the latest Glass Beams EP…
Marian: Yob, Goatsnake, Electric Wizard… lots of classics, but also some odd pearls like the great solo work by Syd Barrett.
Mathias: In the last months, I listened a lot to SLIFT, King Buffalo, Kikagaku Moyo, Boogarins, and Causa Sui.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Marian: It’s a lot about learning to listen. The playing part comes after you have listened carefully.
Mathias: Totally agree.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Marian: Nothing I would feel guilty about, but maybe less expected: I do like raw hardcore hip-hop like Gravediggaz or RZA’s work on the Ghost Dog soundtrack. And ambient music, like William Basinski, Brian Eno, or Aphex Twin’s »Selected Ambient Works Vol. II«.
Mathias: Techno parties & raves 🙂
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Austria?
Marian: Oh, there are quite a few cool bands around, thankfully! Ryte, KRPL, Les Leskin, Minus Green… Austria may be a small country, but the music scene is not bad at all!
Where can we see you live soon (concerts/tours)?
Mathias: We are still organizing and planning next year’s concerts. We will be playing in Vienna and trying to get some gigs in a few festivals, but it’s all not that easy. There is this one place in a city called Jena, Kultur Bahnhof (KuBa); it would be a pleasure to be able to play there one day.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Mathias: Now we are just in this energy of finishing and releasing our album. So in the short run, we’ll try to spread it further by playing more live gigs. I also hope to continue having our weekly rehearsals, where many cool things come up through our jams that could lead to a future album, but this is in a longer perspective.
Do you have any special plans for New Year’s Eve?
Marian: Getting drunk in a cozy sit-together at home. Quiet and relaxed 🙂
Mathias: Having a nice dinner and sauna with friends and jumping in the Old Danube at 12:00, directly into 2025.
How can people best support your band?
Marian: Listen to our music on Bandcamp, or whatever your favorite channel/platform is! Leave a note, spread the word, and get some vinyls if you are into that kind of thing!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Marian: Take some time to relax, listen to your favorite music, and take care of yourselves – the world is crazy enough as it is!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well