TIDES

PTS' ''Nightlines'' was a rather poor debut, yet not poor enough to prevent Dutch label SI Music to sign their compatriots.With drummer Le Coq out of the picture and the lyricist of the previous release Marco De Haan taking over the vocal and drumming duties, PTS entered the DB Sound Studio in The Hague and in 1994 they returned with their sophomore effort ''Tides''.

What appeared as only a blurry potential in ''Nightlines'' eventually becomes reality with ''Tides'', as PTS return with a much stronger, inspired and atmospheric album, keeping their strong JADIS stylings but adding also some great PALLAS, CLEPSYDRA and EGDON HEATH vibes into the mix.The result is an album of decent songwriting, great lead guitars, explosive solos and more evident keyboard/piano parts, always with a minor role, but delivered in an inspiring way.De Haan prooves to be a great singer within the genre and the compositions finally show some great passion, energy and healthy dynamics with some trully memorable stuff.The overall style remains pretty unoriginal but the new material written by the band contains good yet easy-going arrangements with heavy doses of grandieur and a fair number of breaks.

Straightfoward, atmospheric and passionate Neo Prog is the proposal of PTS in ''Tides'' and the mass of prog listeneres should give it a chance despite the lack of trully adventurous moments.Recommended.