Watch Out Stampede – Tides

[nyrating]

2nd October 2015 Thomas Nielsen Album Reviews 0

There are days where I feel more modern than others. Today, I’m fairly modern, and therefore I can appreciate what Germany’s post-hardcore troupé Watch Out Stampede do on their new album, ‘Tides’ – also if the eldest of my three daughters probably appreciates this more than I do when she has one of her rock/metal days.

The thing is, when I listen to music from this subgenre of metal (well, basically goes for anything I listen to), I search my mind for historical references, i.e. the ‘what do I hear in this?’ question. And what do I hear here?

The good thing is that the young folk in Watch Out Stampede bring together elements of tons of things I recognise from the past: Some Green Day, some System Of A Down, some nu-metal, some Slipknot (I know that some like to label the horror clowns nu-metal, but I never really bought into that interpretation), some metalcore and some of the emo-core that emerged approximately a decade ago. I wouldn’t say that any of this normally constitutes my favourite cocktail of music, but I have to acknowledge that Watch Out Stampede are on to something that holds buckets of energy and at the same time sounds good.

The Germans have a lot of focus on keeping the ball rolling, and the main reason that this doesn’t get boring is that there is a well-balanced interplay between the two singers, Andreas and Dennis. The latter provides a fine clean vocal (as well as playing guitar), whereas the former is the aggressive shouter. The addition of the instrumental tune Interlude halfway into the album is a nice touch, and provides the break that prepares you for the last four intense songs (minus the piano intro to Chances).

Does this album cater for a younger audience? Yes, it certainly does.
Would many metal fans consider this a pop album with metal elements added? Probably.

But that doesn’t mean that ‘Tides’ isn’t a well-composed effort with a lot of energy. Fine piece, this one.

Tracklist:
1. 50 50
2. Vultures
3. Scheme
4. Tides
5. No confidence
6. Until we drown
7. Interlude
8. Twenty drinks
9. Ironhide
10. Chances
11. Misunderstanding

Playing time: 32 minutes

Label: Noizgate Records

Website: WOS @facebook

About Thomas Nielsen 1051 Articles

When my old buddy Kenn Jensen asked me if I wanted to contribute to the new site he had created, then called powermetal.dk, I didn't hesitate. My love for metal music was and is great. I wrote my first review during the summer of 2004 (Moonspell's 'Antidote' album). In 2015, I took over the editor-in-chief role.