The self-styled “Shoegazing-Death Metal” band, Tideless have returned. The San Diegan Death-Gazers’ offer up their second full length, “Eye Of Water”, due out September 15th on Chaos Records.

The talents of Kyle Armendariz (Seraphic Disgust), Carlos Gaitan (ex-Ruminations), Aaron Clarke (Seraphic Disgust, Necrochamber), Javier Monreal and Diego Gonzalez combine their efforts to drown you beneath the waves.

Gazing Into The Abyss…

Eye Of Water” is holding nothing back, 75 minutes of doom-laden riffage with a smidge of OSDM (Old School Death Metal) sprinkled throughout; just enough to stir the pot and keep it fresh. A great example of this is in the 3rd track, “Oblations For The Sun”. For the opening two minutes we have The Chasm-esque riffage and speed, then slowing down to a desolate dream, ala Dream Unending – and it works.

The closing track, the 24 minute epic, Lush.Serene.Dissolved, exemplifies the Death/Doom genre. While 24-minutes may seem like a long time to spend on a single track, the pacing and well-written and executed passages ensures you are fully engaged for the whole run time.

Do not be afraid of the shoegaze moniker. What makes “Eye Of Water” truly-shine are these stretches of melancholy, the ebb and flow between the shoegaze, doom and death elements; a full expression of grief and despair.

Eye Of Water” is not without it’s faults, My one, and only, complaint is that there are a couple of moments where a particular passage goes on for a bar or two too long, making what is an excellent groove, seem a bit stale.

But don’t let that criticism dissuade you, “Eye of Water” is well worth the investment. Put on your headphones, sit back in your recliner and let the currents wash you away.

For fans of: Dream Unending, early-Katatonia, Mournful Congregation, Bell Witch.

For those in the So-Cal area, you can catch Tideless live on the following dates and venues below.

  • Brick By Brick on September 11 along with Seraphic Disgust, Wearg, and Disimperium.
  • Till Two Club on September 30 along with Arizmenda, Shataan and The Perpetual Wound

My Rating Scale

1 Star: STAY AWAY. Far away.

2 Stars: Major flaws but you gave it a chance. Destined for the bargain bin.

3 Stars: Overall, it’s okay despite some obvious flaws. Fanboys can get enjoyment out of it it but someone who is more critical may have an issue with it. Buy at a discount or while on sale.

4 Stars: Nearly perfect. A must listen and well suited to add to your collection.

5 Stars: BUY IT NOW, no questions asked. I don’t care if you don’t like [insert genre]

Band: Tideless
Album: Eye Of Water
Worldwide Release: September 15, 2023
Label: Chaos Records
Favorite Track: Oblations For The Sun
My Rating 4.5/5

Check out Tideless below!

In Other News…

Our fearless leaders, Brian Parker and Israel Palayo are having an online yard sale, offloading classic Metal Swapmeet merch on the cheap. Links and sale information can be found here.

New reviews for Sludge Keeper – “Slough of Despair”, Dodheimsgard – “Black Medium Current” and Coffin Mulch – “Spectral Intercession”. Don’t want to spoil too much, but that DHG is already sitting very cozy on my “Best Of 2023” list.

My favorite time of the year is approaching, no its not Halloween, its the MOTHERFUCKING METAL SWAP MEET! On October 21, 2023 be prepared to get blasted with beer, meat and HEAVY METAL at Protector Brewery 8680 Miralani Dr, San Diego CA. 92136. Tons of opportunities to meet new and old friends, thumb through the album racks and pick up that record you’ve been searching for, come and see the unholy and almighty NIGHT DEMON or just stop by my booth and say “hi!” and talk metal.

Stay tuned to the Metal Swap Meet Facebook group as well as this very website for future updates.