Album genres:

■	Melodic death metal

Album artists:

■	Garrett Nelson	Vocals
■	Mike Burton	Guitar
■	Cameron Rehman	Bass
■	Gord Alexander	Drums

Review written by Corin Geypen.

[CORIN REPORTING]

Grand Sounds PR sends us a new beast in the form of Tides of Kharon. Their 2021 debut EP “Titanomachy” is released on Sliptrick Records and features 28 minutes of Swed-, no, Canadian melodic death metal. Let’s take a look.

[SHREDDING BASICS]

Tides of Kharon has clearly been listening to some Swedish melodic death in their time. Influences like Amorphis, Soilwork and In Flames are immediately apparent in the vocals, rhythms and guitar lines. The band gives this sound a unique twist by creating an EP based on Greek mythology and telling the tale of a great war “to determine the rulers of the future."

Opening song “Atlas Endures” starts with some interesting soundscapes before diving straight in with dual vocals and driving guitars. Gord’s drums keep the pace with some interesting rhythms, which immediately remind me of In Flames. Title track “Titanomachy” continues in a similar vein, with neat guitar riffs accompanying decent drums, and screams and growls taking turns to tell our epic tale of battle. Garrett does a great job with the vocals, switching from one style to another with ease. In the next song, “Sentinels of Stone,” his growls go even lower and I am reminded of Nile, maybe with a little Lamb of God mixed in for good measure. Meanwhile, the music offers some more fine examples of their favored Swedish melodic death metal sound.

 By the time I reach the EP’s fourth track, “Kronos Descends,” I know what to expect. The opening is a typical Soilwork/In Flames sounding bit, followed by more well-executed, but not exceptional melodic death metal. The four-and-a-half minute song is decent and you never really get bored, but I keep waiting for the thing to set Tides of Kharon apart. It doesn’t come. Final track “From the Mountain” gives us an almost thrash-like opening with what seems like two guitars playing off each other and the drums racing forward. Vocals are low and fast and you get swept away in the almost groovy rhythm. This song seems a bit disconnected from the others, with the band taking a different turn in terms of drums and vocals. More trash and groove, less standard melodic death. I really like that they stepped out of their comfort zone for this one. I just wish it offered something more unique.

[SHREDDING VISION]

The album cover for “Titanomachy” shows a battle in full swing, with warriors on both sides giving their all. From the lightning and fire being exchanged between the main characters, it is clear that these are no ordinary fighters, but rather some form of gods. They seem to be fighting in the night, with the rain drenching the ground beneath them, while above them the moon which seems to explode into a million stars.

[SHARPEST SHREDS & BLUNTEST BLADES]

My favorite song of this album is definitely “From the Mountain.” It has the most interesting vocals and drums, and the style switches in the song give it an extra edge over the others. The other tracks are good, if a little standard. Not a bad effort, but it’s more like easy listening in the background than avidly hanging on every chord.

[CORIN’S SCORECARD]

I give Tides of Kharon’s “Titanomachy” a score of 6/10. While “Titanomachy” is clean and well-produced melodic death metal, I feel I’ve heard this album before. Tides of Kharon does an admirable job of honoring their favorite genre and its masters, but I feel this distracts them from finding their own sound. Of course, this is a debut, so the band has plenty of time to find what makes them different, outside of a lyrical concept. I look forward to seeing what they come up with. In the meantime, check out the video for “Atlas Endures!”