Red Tide Rising - Voices (EP)

There aren't many Colorado metal bands, but they can certainly rock.Colorado seems like a good place to form a band and begin the path to world domination, right? Strange then that there aren't more of the heavy metal variety. For every Jag Panzer or Havok, you seem to find a dozen folk bands, but enough of that. Denver quartet Red Tide Rising flies the metal flag on their latest EP Voices, filled with over 20 minutes of raging modern metal.

One of the highlights of the band's sound is the impressive voice of Matthew Whiteman. Despite being in his early 20s (and looking even younger), his voice belies the maturity and control of a seasoned musician from every guttural growl to every clean-toned chorus (check out the end of Suffocate for some solo vocals to get a good idea). And working with his brother Andrew (guitars) seems to contribute to a synchronicity that fuels this quintet of heavy grooves, which should generate considerable anticipation for a forthcoming, full-fledged studio album. The rest of the band (Matt Guerin on drums and Michael LeBois on bass) provides back up with a solid foundation that supports the Whiteman brothers like metal bedrock. This group is solid and poised for stardom, man.

The Bottom Line: Don't be surprised to see this band start to show up on [and rock the shit out of] a lot of summer tours. They've got a firm grip on the modern metal sound and perform with an energy that goes well beyond the old angsty-youth-with-7-string-guitars-and-cargo-pants stereotype. Good on 'em.

- Genghis recently read that cargo shorts are out (but why?!)...