Holy Tide is a Symphonic Power Metal outfit that formed in Salerno, Italy with a mission to glorify the Lord through music and to bring the Gospel to the nations. Holy Tide offers up powerful progressive orchestrated movements that are sure to capture the attention of the Metal community. The band has been compared to such acts as Stratovarius & Rhapsody of Fire with their epic arrangements.
Holy Tide is the brainchild of bassist and composer Joe Caputo who began the project back in early 2018. Not long after choosing a band name Caputo quickly got to work on material for a debut release. After having composed the whole album, both music and lyrics, Caputo-bassist chose the core musicians to form the line-up which included vocalist-Fábio Caldeira(Maestrick), guitarist-Kris Laurent, and drummer-Michael Brush.
Holy Tide is the brainchild of bassist and composer Joe Caputo who began the project back in early 2018. Not long after choosing a band name Caputo quickly got to work on material for a debut release. After having composed the whole album, both music and lyrics, Caputo-bassist chose the core musicians to form the line-up which included vocalist-Fábio Caldeira(Maestrick), guitarist-Kris Laurent, and drummer-Michael Brush.
Some groups that have influenced the band over the years include Manowar, Iron Maiden, Wasp, Slayer, Whitesnake, Bach, Wagner. A few bands that members of Holy Tide enjoy listening to include Grand Magus, Anathema, Pain Of Salvation, Dark Tranquility, and Therion.
In 2019 Holy Tide stepped onto the Metal scene with the release of their debut full-length album titled 'Aquila' on My Kingdom Music. 'Aquila' is a studio album with the guitars being recorded at Rroooar Sound Studio in Sassari, Italy. The vocals, bass, harp, trumpet and oud were all recorded at Studio35 in Cava De' Tirreni, Salerno, Italy. Drums were recorded at CapsaArx Studio in Birmingham, UK. The album was produced by Joe Caputo and was mixed and mastered by Gustavo Scaranelo.
The album's cover art is stunning and was created by artist-Biagio D'Alessandro. The band takes the idea for their cover art from Exodus 19:3-4 "Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself." The album's title 'Aquila' simply means Eagle in Latin. In addition, Aquila is a constellation in the northern hemisphere represented by the figure of an eagle.
'Aquila' is a huge production incorporating not only the members of Holy Tide but an impressive roster of special guests in order to create a large wall of sound in their arrangements. Some of the additional musicians, just to mention a few, include vocalist-Tilo Wolff(Lacrimosa) on "Lamentation", Don Airey who plays the Hammond on track-11 "The Shepherd's Stone", Assunta Caputo plays the Harp on track-5 "Curse And Ecstasy" & track-7 "The Crack Of Dawn", Gabriele Stotuti plays the Trumpet on track-5 "Curse And Ecstasy", and Peppe Frana plays the Oud on track-13 "Return From Babylon".
The album's cover art is stunning and was created by artist-Biagio D'Alessandro. The band takes the idea for their cover art from Exodus 19:3-4 "Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself." The album's title 'Aquila' simply means Eagle in Latin. In addition, Aquila is a constellation in the northern hemisphere represented by the figure of an eagle.
'Aquila' is a huge production incorporating not only the members of Holy Tide but an impressive roster of special guests in order to create a large wall of sound in their arrangements. Some of the additional musicians, just to mention a few, include vocalist-Tilo Wolff(Lacrimosa) on "Lamentation", Don Airey who plays the Hammond on track-11 "The Shepherd's Stone", Assunta Caputo plays the Harp on track-5 "Curse And Ecstasy" & track-7 "The Crack Of Dawn", Gabriele Stotuti plays the Trumpet on track-5 "Curse And Ecstasy", and Peppe Frana plays the Oud on track-13 "Return From Babylon".
Frontman-Fábio Caldeira(Maestrick) delivers up a solid vocal performance on 'Aquila' even drawing comparison to vocalist-Peter Sigfridsson(Majestic Vanguard). Caldeira sings mostly in the mid range and only occasionally releases a high pitched scream. However, with this being Power Metal, I will be looking for a much stronger performance from Caldeira on the band's future follow-up sophomore release!
Kris Laurent(Cadaveria, Ardours) manages the guitar section for the band and some of his main influences include Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani and Eddie Van Halen. Kris Laurent's guitar play moves from Power Metal riffs to Thrash and he even introduces us to some extreme Metal techniques.
All music and lyrics on 'Aquila' are composed by Joe Caputo.
The lyrics are thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
The lyrics are thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Godincidence"
Judgement day is close
Your one step away
From ruin and misery
Wisdom is calling
Take my hand
And Follow me!
"The Crack Of Dawn"
And your word became flesh
And it dwelt among us all
You are the voice of one
Crying out in the wilderness
The wind blows where it wishes
And you hear its very sound
Not knowing where it comes
From nor where it goes
"Lord Of The Armies"
Pestilence before Him
And plague followed after
He stood and measured the Earth
Looked and shook the nations
Eternal mountains scattered
Everlasting hills sank low
Rode His horse in fury
Chariots of thunder
"The Name Of Blasphemy"
I saw a beast
Rising out of the sea
Ten diadems on its horns
Blasphemous names on its head
The dragon gave to it power
His throne and authority
The whole Earth followed
And worshiped the beast
Who’s to be taken
In captivity he goes
Who’s to be slain
By the sword must he be slain
Its name
Is the name of blasphemy
Its number is
Six six six!
Judgement day is close
Your one step away
From ruin and misery
Wisdom is calling
Take my hand
And Follow me!
"The Crack Of Dawn"
And your word became flesh
And it dwelt among us all
You are the voice of one
Crying out in the wilderness
The wind blows where it wishes
And you hear its very sound
Not knowing where it comes
From nor where it goes
"Lord Of The Armies"
Pestilence before Him
And plague followed after
He stood and measured the Earth
Looked and shook the nations
Eternal mountains scattered
Everlasting hills sank low
Rode His horse in fury
Chariots of thunder
"The Name Of Blasphemy"
I saw a beast
Rising out of the sea
Ten diadems on its horns
Blasphemous names on its head
The dragon gave to it power
His throne and authority
The whole Earth followed
And worshiped the beast
Who’s to be taken
In captivity he goes
Who’s to be slain
By the sword must he be slain
Its name
Is the name of blasphemy
Its number is
Six six six!
Holy Tide is for fans of Rhapsody of Fire, Affector, Iron Maiden, and Stratovarius. If you are looking to add some quality Symphonic Power Metal to your collection then check out what the band has offered up with their debut release - 'Aquila'.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Fábio Caldeira(Maestrick) - Vocals
Kris Laurent(Cadaveria, Ardours) - Guitars
Joe Caputo - Bass
Michael Brush - Drums
Additional Musicians:
Nico Falco - Orchestration
Tilo Wolff(Lacrimosa) - Vocalist on "Lamentation"
Don Airey - Hammond Organ on "The Shepherd's Stone"
Assunta Caputo - Harp on "Curse And Ecstasy" & "The Crack Of Dawn"
Gabriele Stotuti - Trumpet on "Curse And Ecstasy"
Patricia Klein Caputo - Narration on "Sunk Into The Ground"
Peppe Frana : Oud on "Return From Babylon"
Fábio Caldeira(Maestrick) - Vocals
Kris Laurent(Cadaveria, Ardours) - Guitars
Joe Caputo - Bass
Michael Brush - Drums
Additional Musicians:
Nico Falco - Orchestration
Tilo Wolff(Lacrimosa) - Vocalist on "Lamentation"
Don Airey - Hammond Organ on "The Shepherd's Stone"
Assunta Caputo - Harp on "Curse And Ecstasy" & "The Crack Of Dawn"
Gabriele Stotuti - Trumpet on "Curse And Ecstasy"
Patricia Klein Caputo - Narration on "Sunk Into The Ground"
Peppe Frana : Oud on "Return From Babylon"