FROSTTIDE are a four-piece melodic / Folk Metal band from Jyväskylä, Finland formed by Joni Snoro back in 2009. FROSTTIDE released their first EP called "Dawn Of Frost" in 2010, second EP "Our Journey" in 2012. The first full-length album called "Awakening" is about the shake the world.

"Winter's Call (Intro)" is like a soundtrack to a movie, a promise for things to come. The title track "Awakening" is the album's finest with piercing guitars, fast paced drumming and immense growl vocals. I noticed a similarity to the once melodic IN FLAMES. There is a feel of restlessness, though a hooking Folk and Viking Metal elements. "No Turning Back" has a similarity to IN EXTREMO both in harmonies and melodic riffing. I liked the mixture of brutal and flamboyant musical perceptions. The riffs and keyboards are an amazing work of art, a perfect example of great headbanging. I was also impressed how the lyrics conjured well with the music. On "Quest for Glory" is the setting of Joni Snoro's vocal line, the chorus is an assorted form of melodic Death Metal slightly infused with Folk and Symphonic elements. "Ruins of Defeat" is quite energetic, well written Folk Metal melodies, striking backing vocal production, diverse rhythms, like a mere hymn of victory. "Unwritten (Engraved in the Stars)" is an Epic Metal masterpiece, inspiring with a tremendous atmosphere, along with assorted riffery, crafty drumming and utterly great vocal performance. This one has it all, as if it was a vast summery of FROSTTIDE's skills. The general feel took me rather to Doom Metal (SATURNUS, especially in the guitaring, and various of shards taken from melodic extremity (CHILDREN OF BODOM, DIMMU BORGIR, NIGHTWISH, IN FLAMES). The joint singing of the backing vocals reminded me of KORPIKLAANI.

Other tracks worth listening: "Dawn Of Despair (Interlude)" another movie like intro consisting of well performed flute playing and "Siege" with sluggish Doomy guitars but also fast paced with aggressive manners. "Awakening" is highly recommend for every Metalhead who wishes to convey the sceneries of extreme Metal, at its melodic form. The sound engineering is of top class, making it unique and highly adaptable.