Sometimes, people can't understand why a musician that is widely recognized in a Metal genre begins a band doing another musical work that's completely different from what the musician did before. There's an infinite set of explanations, so the best is to accept that things change. But even changing, things can still be good, as "Black Tide", the first release of the UK based quintet WHITE SKIES. The band brings members known for acts as SAMSON, FIRST STRIKE, YA YA, DOUBLE CROSS, DANTE FOX. Of course, no one can be ready for what's offered: a classic and melodic form of AOR that resembles to the work of bands as TOTO, JOURNEY and others that were commercially praised in the turn of the 70's to the 80's. The same formula can be heard: catchy choruses, charming melodies adorned by excellent keyboards' parts, and that remarkable musical accessibility (AOR is a genre that naturally is in such way), but always with personality and a new life flowing from the songs. And it's very good.

The songs were written during the COVID-19 pandemic and worked on the members' home studio and were mixed by the Pete (the band's keyboardist and one of its founding members). And it's unusual to have such approach on the guitars, loud and clear, but always in a form that they work for the best of the band's music. It's clean and defined, what turns into an easy thing to understand what the band plays. All the songs are excellent, but for a first time on the quintet's music, "What You Know About Love?" (a hooking and melodic song with a clear aggressive touch due the excellent guitars, but what lovely chorus with excellent vocals and backing vocals), "Emily" (that is filled with a charming set of melodic ambiences, with precious vocals and chorus), "Midnight Rendezvous" (a moment when the melodic contrasts between guitars and keyboards boosts everything), "One Step Forward" (this one is based on a strong work of bass guitar and drums on the rhythms, but keeping a very accessible ambience), "A Love Unjustified" (another extremely accessible moment of the album, with charming melodies being adorned by perfect keyboards and guitars' arrangements), "Black Tide" (a bit heavier than the previous ones, but keeping the melodic essence of the band, especially on the chorus), and "Takin a Ride" are the right ones.

"Black Tide" is a mature and excellent release, indeed, and for sure WHITE SKIES will be playing in great festivals of the genre, because their songs were done to be live hits.