Red Tide - "Themes of Cosmic Consiousness" (8 song CD, 1998)

The songwriting on "Themes" is similar in style and quality - heavy, arpeggiated riffs in a slow, melodic death metal style, with harsh, grainy vocals. Many of the heavy riffs on "Hybrid" were in a 12:8 triplet time, but on "Themes" the feel is more varried. The clean breaks, usually one or two per song, each have a different character.

The guitar sound is clearly better on "Themes," especialy when compared to the instrumental track from the "Hybrid" sessions. The heavy tones have more raw crunch and the clean tones have more sparkle. The unique semi-acoustic sound of the Parker Fly guitar that Jeff Wu uses shines through in the clean break in "Overcome."

As on "Hybrid," the playing by all four members is very good but not brilliant - there are a few rough edges in the execution and production. Even with the two previously released songs, the CD only runs about 35 minutes. Since the "Hybrid" cassette had a manufacturing defect, the band could have included the rest of the "Hybrid" songs on this CD, and with only 25 minutes of new material there certainly was room for them.

Red Tide is a very solid unsigned band. They don't have an original style or clear production, but they write good songs in the Cynic/Candiria vein.

Note: This review is Copyright 1998 by Scott H. Andrews and may not be reprinted or used in public, like posted on a home page, without permission.