October Tide – Tunnel of No Light (2013)

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Recently resurrected (2009) October Tide delivers us their second release in four years with “Tunnel of No Light”. Featuring their traditional early Katatonia sound from the 90’s, this band keeps doing what they do best, and we totally dig them for that. Lead by Fredrik Norrman, the band recently changed bass guitarist and vocalist, but you can’t even tell the difference since October Tide is as melancholic and brutal as ever.

Opening with their signature layered guitars on “Of Wounds To Come”, we get the first impression of the band’s new growler Alexander Högbom, and we must say it is very impressive. The intricate melodic guitar work is the staple of the band and they do not disappoint in tracks like this one and “Our Constellation”. The first Doom epic comes under the name of “Emptiness Fulfilled” and its crushing weeping riffs. This song delivers both magical melodic passages and super powerful growls… exactly what Infernal Masquerade likes.

After the mellow “Caught In Silence”, the band delivers three more Melodic Doom masterpieces with “Watching The Drowners”, “The Day I Dissolved”, and “In Hopeless Pursuit”. These songs further solidify the band’s signature ‘October Tide’ sound, but they also make for excellent Doom pieces filled with demoralizing riffs and aggressive vocals. One thing that we might point out is that the band seems to be sticking to their sound too much and other acts like Insomnium which have a similar Melodic Doom/Death Metal approach but have managed to add more flair and technical elements to it, making it fresher and more dynamic.

Ending the release we have the more spacious and less intense “Adoring Ashes”. This song falls more under the Doom category, but still have some quite melodic riffs to accompany its slow tempo. In general, we have to say that October Tide continues to have its magic and manages to deliver another soul crushing and demoralizing Melodic Doom/Death Metal release with “Tunnel of No Light”. If you like Doomy riffs and intricate guitar melodies, look no further and get this excellent album.

Band: October Tide Album: Tunnel of No Light
Label: Pulverised Records

Release: March 25th, 2013

Oficial Site myspace

Genre: Melodic Doom/Death Metal

Country: Sweden

Rating: 90/100
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