SEA SHANTIES

High Tide is completely ahead of its time. On their first album, Sea Chanties, they combine their fokish influences with a more harsh, aggressive sound. Sometimes souding jazzy, and really one of the first, if not the first prog-metal album.

The key here is the battle, the rivalry between the electric guitar of Tony Hill and the excellent playing of Simon House on his electric violin.

From the first second we feel something is ahead of its time. A huge guitar riff starts off the album, and the great rythm section soon come along. The violin adds up to the unique sound and forms a melodic mess.

Throughout the album, there are a lot of ecellent guitar moment and as many violin ones. Diverse, but always true to their roots, High Tide delivers. The only problem may be the vocals, wich do not fit with the intensity of the music.

Still, this is heavy stuf for the time and still today, it sounds like a ton of brick. Sensible ears stay away! A band to discover. 4.5/5