In a country that has defined the sound of metalcore so much with bands like Parkway Drive, The Amity Affliction, I Killed the Prom Queen etc. it can be a daunting task for any newer metalcore band to step into the scene. In a sea of copycats and wannabes, the risk of sounding generic is always there but Tides Collide has managed to avoid that trap with their debut EP.
Sticking to what defines metalcore, there is no shortage of heavy breakdowns and vocalist Tom has the perfect range for the genre, but what sets Tides Collide apart in this EP is the underlying groove to the music. Moments you can headbang too, parts to sing along with and just that catchiness that really makes you fall in love with this EP with every listen.
The band shows their versatility in their sound and songwriting, going from the heavy, hard-hitting opener Outlier, to the infectious grooves of Lost Sight and then you are hit with the melancholy but headbanging worthy One Final Effort. Personally, my favourite track on the EP is the final trackTruenorth– the perfect outro that had me singing along to the chorus by the second listen. The contrast of acoustic guitars and the harsh vocals really highlights the talent of every member of the band.
No bar seems to be wasted- I keep mentioning how great the guitars are and on this track, there is no exception, but the rhythm section is just as solid.
The drummer is not just keeping time, with funky fills that really add to the sound and the bass lines are just as intricate. Overall, Tides Collide proves that the best of Australian Metalcore is yet to come.
Release Year: 2020
Label: self-released
Category: EP
Country: Australia
Reviewed by Kayla Hamilton
