One of the greatest 'buts' people usually hve against Stoner Rock/Metal is the lack of personality of many bands, and the addiction of musicians of these genres on high levels of unneeded filth on the sonority (what turns the understanding on the songs something extremely hard sometimes). But there are always those exceptions, that bands that really have something to say and are above the norm. One of them is the Swedish quartet TIDAL WAVES, because "The Lord Knows" is an excellent release, indeed. The band's musical work is a combination of the heavy weight of BLACK SABBATH with the abrasive groove and hooking melodies of acts as SOUNDGARDEN, MONSTER MAGNET and TEMPLE OF THE DOG. It's a fiery form of music, with frantic pyroclastic melodies that won't allow the fans to stand still in the place. The instrumental parts of the band bear a very good technical appeal (without turning things fuzzy and tearing apart the accessible essence of the songs), a solid rhythmic work, and very good melodic vocals that fits on the band's music. And it's really very good!

"The Lord Knows" was recorded, mixed and mastered by Anders Svanberg, and things worked in a form that the sonority is organic (it's like the band plugged the gears, set the adjustments on them, and played, because no rhythm guitar can be heard during the solos). But one thing is different from the usual: the level of filthy on the sonority is low, so things are clearly understandable for anyone. It sounds like a Stoner Rock/Metal album, but in the best way possible. Musically, all the songs are filled with life and energy, allowing the fans to create an emotional link with the music of the quartet. And besides "The Lord Knows" is excellent from its beginning to its end, it's hard to resist to moments as "Lizard King" (what lovely set of greasy melodies, with very good melodic vocals and 'sabbathic' groove), "End of the Line" (a mammoth of weight and groove, boosted by excellent greasy guitar riffs, and a good melodic solo), "Marijuana Trench" (where the influences of BLACK SABBATH and LED ZEPPELIN are clear, and what a good and heavy work of bass guitar and drums on the rhythms, especially on the changes of tempos), "Pentagram" (this one is nearer classic Doom Metal due the crude and abrasive weight of the guitar riffs), "Robbero Bobbero" (another moment where the fiery groove of the band is aligned with excellent melodies, and another very good moment of the vocals), and to the atmospheric and accessible "Purple Bird".

If you're not into Stoner Metal/Rock, "The Lord Knows" is the right album for you to have the clear idea of what the genre is about. If you're a fan of the genre, let TIDAL WAVES surprise you.