Emerging Australian hard rock band The Dreadful Tides has released House of Pain, the follow-up to their 2021 debut Crazy.
The Melbourne based rock outfit delivers the second instalment of fever hot contemporary hard rock, a kinetic fusion of old school classic 70s à la Black Sabbath, Kiss and Mötley Crüe blended with later-day masters Rage Against The Machine and Alice in Chains.
The band, who comprise Holden Stirling (vocals), Justin Strudwick (guitar), Darius Kooth (bass), and Leland Hallett (drums), generate a thunderous wall of sound with House of Pain, a no holds barred guitar-driven exhilarating soundscape. From the tribal drum intro to the recurring riff motif, House of Pain is a seamless amalgamation of influences merged into what can only be described as a post-grunge hard rock ride, tinged with a lustre of understated melodic flair.
Holden’s high-flying vocal is effortlessly aligned to the band’s uncompromised dynamism, revealing in the process a song whose big hook, wedded to the central guitar riff, is electrifyingly irresistible.
‘‘ The band’s ability to unite rock styles, the melancholic edge of grunge with the melodic sensibilities of late 70s early 80s rock, just one aspect, is part of their allure and ultimately the combination that will set them apart from others working in the same genre.
The band’s ability to unite rock styles, the melancholic edge of grunge with the melodic sensibilities of late 70s early 80s rock, just one aspect, is part of their allure and ultimately the combination that will set them apart from others working in the same genre.
House of Pain’s chorus is suitably understated without forgoing the power needed to sustain the dynamic structure; its hook is strong but not necessarily overblown. Another well-considered attribute is the recurring guitar riff’s placement throughout the song. It becomes a highly effective counterpoint to the chorus as it winds its way through the track as an anchoring point.
The playing here is quite faultless, with a self-assuredness that belies the band’s recording output. House of Pain is sure to land The Dreadful Tides onto numerous playlists and attract positive responses from followers and new fans alike.
LISTEN TO THE DREADFUL TIDES HERE: