RESURFACE

Tides, a completely instrumental band, that just oozes post metal everywhere. They are kind of a Omega Massif Pelican crossbreed, with the typical trippy lead lines, or the more tangible lead lines. If I were to sum up Resurface in one word: powe.rJust exploding with Doom metal power chords and the arch typical kick in the face compositions which all post metal fans have come to adore. There is a weakness though, it's so posty, and so powerful, it's predictable, and hard to pay attention to after time. Typical power song, then a short softer song ect. Though repetetive is not so much a bad thing, to follow the trend which all bands do is unoriginal, therefore keeping this album from achieving masterpiece. The other quarrel I have with the album is that they sound like a carbon copy of Omega Massif, but with less of a doom metal sound. Personally, I like OM more, but that will not effect how I judge the album.

Typical instrumental post metal start, BIG power chords, which are sliced in half by quick single note breaks. The drumming is pretty much what you would expect, except the toms are deeper, and more noticable than other bands, giving a sense of impending doom, which I like! The title song, Resurface sums up the entire album, at 11 minuetes, it goes from heavy to trippy, to very relaxed. I already explained the heavy part, it's the trippy part that gets me. Trippy lead lines with that insane guitar tone, I LOVE IT, but unlike Omega massif, Tides are not sure how to restrain themselves. Instead of a single riiff over and over again, or some of it for the back round, the lead guitar player will do one long continuous riff, while the rythym player (with the same tone) will play a completely different riff in the backround. If this were to last for only a couple of minuetes, this would be a major plus to the album, bu like I said, lack of restraint leads to partial annoyance. I mean I like it, but too much of a good thing is not so good, right? Now the relaxed part of their music is my favirote, droned out lead lines, a solid drum beat, and some undistorted arpeggios call for a good atmoshere! By the way, the atmosphere the band displays is kind of quiet after the storm kind of feel, unlike any other band, props! Besides these three factors, the album dosent stray too far, of course with some double picking lead lines taken right out of the book of cult of Luna, which definately sound good with the music.

The musicianship is superb, this album is just a reflexion of a new band getting on it's feet, and showing off it's influences. Honestly, I really do like this album a lot, but I dont think it's up to par with some of the greats to semi great album out there, but look for their new album soon, and I gurentee it will be a different story. 3 stars