Red Tide - "Hybrid" (5 song demo, 1997)

Red Tide, out of Avon, CT, is a jazz influenced death band in the style of Cynic - they mix melodic death riffs with clean jazzy breaks. "Hybrid" is their second demo, containing three new songs and two that were on 1995s "Expressions." The songwriting is highly reminiscent of Cynic, using light jazzy chords in between heavy arpeggiated melodic lines. The short clean passages, usually two or three per song, provide a colorful contrast to the heavy sections, but the main heavy riffs in the first three songs all sound very similar. The playing overall is quite good, although sloppy in a few spots. The drums and bass sound crisp in the mix, and the vocals have a smooth processed sound that fits the progressive style of the music, but the clean and distorted guitar tones could be spicier. The tape packaging has black and white cover art and a small professional insert. On Side 1 of the tape, the left stereo channel is 6-9 dB quieter than the right channel. I E-mailed the band about this and they apologized - apparently the duplicating company screwed up - but they did not offer me any compensation.

This demo's major fault is that the songwriting is too derivative of Cynic, but I can't decide if that is good or bad - Cynic was a brilliant band. Red Tide is due to release a CD this summer containing the five "Hybrid" songs and some new material, which is supposed to be less jazz influenced and more like standard death metal. If you like the Cynic style jazz-metal mix, or you want to check out the new songs, get the Red Tide CD so you avoid the screwed up sound levels on the tape. -- Scott Andrews

Contact: Red Tide, PO Box 1434, Avon, CT, 06001, USA
Internet Home Page: http://www.blasphemour.com/redtide/


Note: This review is Copyright 1997 by Scott H. Andrews and may not be reprinted or used in public, like posted on a home page, without permission.



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