Good-feel rockers SOULS OF TIDE (2014) from Hamar, Norway mean business and they definitely show their rockin' roots going back to bands like DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW. After forming in the Year of Our Lord 2014 they released their self-titled EP 'SOULS OF TIDE' in August 2014. SOULS OF TIDE music could be described as a classic rock beast with catchy choruses, all the best parts. This Norwegian band means business ... now let us see if business is good ...

'Voodoo Ritual' puts lead vocalist Vegar Larsen out in front of the twisting music layered with all 6 lads throwing it down. Vegar's singing does not sound exactly like Joe Lynn Turner but he does recall his work in RAINBOW , especially with Ole weaving his RAINBOW era Richie Blackmore majik on lead guitar. 'Firegirl' puts Anders and Ole out casting their spell while Hammond organ master Kjetil Banken evokes the conjuring - I really dig his Hammond moves on 'BLACK MAGIC'.

Yielding ballad 'Through the Fire' cuts ice with an interesting and singular melody by Vegar - his vocals and aggressive timbre breath life into the music. Time machine tune 'Black Magic' is a grooving little rocker that when I close my eyes and listen puts me right back in 1972, and that would make me about -11 years old. Holy Ponce de Leon, I just discovered the classic rocker fountain of youth! 'Interlude' showcases lovely throbbing Hammond fog along with a crosscut lead guitar on the lone instrumental track on 'BLACK MAGIC' and at 2:17, feels just right - not belabored or too brief.

'The Offering' has the mighty hammond hesh and a half-step droning phrygian chord shuffle. This song sounds epic and along with 'Firegirl' are my favs on 'BLACK MAGIC' with the last cut 'Evening Star' rocking out the finale on this cracking release. Me golden ears notice that this release is a bit phasey and filtered, possibly a product of the mix-down and mastering. This mix puts drum god Tommy and vocalist Vegar as the most prominent tracks of music with the other lads fighting it out between themselves when everyone is chopping wood at the same time, and I found myself losing focus on the instruments and music sporadically. There is some solid drum thumpa-lumpin' and that keeps things moving along. The songs and music are strong enough to overcome these little complaints; I feel that with the talent and songwriting skill evidenced on 'BLACK MAGIC' there is some room for expanding to sound their classic rawker best. Good Feel ¡!

Det ligger en hund begraven ... Ana ugglor i mossen ... the dani bandolier Spotify playlist of reviewed bands...

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/272H3UBARsuksY3BqU0CzP?si=60elBHrwR56aFbYqu8LgyQ