Tid-Fix idé
It has been six years since the release of their EP, Giv Akt. But it was well worth the wait!! “Fix idé” is an epic masterpiece, and quite possibly their best work to present date. This group never fails to deliver an incredible piece of art. My feeling when I heard the first two singles released (“Dumhetens Gudinna” and “Aurora Surrealis”) was that this album was going to illustrate just how creative and truly gifted the guys can be.
Tid cannot fit into one category or specific genre of music. I’ve heard them classified as metal, rock, alternative, prog-rock and art rock. Many of their songs would fit easily as music for movie soundtracks. I think a key element makes labeling them into one genre of music virtually impossible. That element is something many bands that have been around for quite a few years have still not obtained…versatility. Versatility in music is, in my opinion, VERY important and crucial for the survival of bands. The “job” of a band or musician, in a business sense, is to draw in fans, and hold their interest. Too many bands today play the same music over and over again. They don’t take a risk or “step outside the box.” The result is fans get bored and look elsewhere for something that will interest them. Tid has kept its versatility over the years, but I feel this album really displays their versatility not only as a band, but even individually as musicians. Each song, when you listen carefully, contains different elements of different genres. But overall, the album as a whole completely blew my mind!
The most challenging thing for me to do for this review was to put into words what I FELT as I listened to each song. My focus tends to be on what I hear, and I tend to be over-analytical, so expressing my emotions can be difficult. Here goes…
Bom Shiva- Felt like I was could have been watching the opening to a sci-fi movie…or walking into a throne room in a castle. Has a very majestic sound, but also very ethereal. Subtle percussion, snippets of speaking and synthesizers give it a futuristic sound. It was very intriguing and really piqued my interest and excitement toward the rest of the EP.
Dumhetens Gudinna- Elements of metal/techno/rock/pop expertly crafted and executed flawlessly. Heavy guitar riffs and bass, and powerful drums. The guitar appears to almost accompany Claudio on vocals through each verse. I can picture an audience jumping to the drumbeat and then dancing for the chorus. Fia Kempe provides her lovely vocals to this song which fit perfectly.
Aurora Surrealis – I love this song! As far as how I felt listening to it, I felt somewhat conflicting emotions for this one. I felt a sense of spiritual journey (with the guitars), but also a sense of battle. Perhaps the repeating of “forward march” is why I couldn’t shake the battle feeling. Drums also felt “march-like” in rhythm supporting my sense of battle. I suppose there are “battles” we all struggle with on our journeys through life…this song gives it a soundtrack.
Solens Nya Namn – This song will knock you on your ass! It is downright POWERFUL! A magical blend of heavy guitar riffs, rhythmic bass lines, absolutely incredible drum work and perfect vocals provided by Claudio and Fia. I was surprised by the shift from high note piano keys to the bass notes. It is a dramatic shift in sound. “The Sun’s New Name” appropriate for a powerful song that represents a powerful force in the Sun itself. It is a shining star on the album.
Demimond- The drums predominantly sound like a heartbeat, strong and rhythmic. Brief Egyptian/Middle Eastern undertones can be heard further into the song. But (speaking of heartbeats), my heart soars with this song!! The music “flows” perfectly. The vocals are expertly delivered by Claudio. The surprise was the additional vocals towards the end of the song. They are delicate and blend beautifully with the rest of the song. This, I have to say is my favorite song. Absolutely in love with it.
Nadir – The moment I heard this song start with crickets and fire crackling, I just broke out into a huge smile. I fell in love with this when I heard it. It has a folk song feeling to it. This is a song where nature can be heard mixed in with intricate guitar work, flute and absolutely stunning vocals. This song is very grounding. If you are soaring from the previous songs, Nadir will gently bring you back down to Earth.
In closing, those of you who have not checked this band out, you are SERIOUSLY missing out on an incredible band! Their masterful execution and blending of melodious guitars with heavy riffs, rhythmic bass lines and powerhouse drums…boggles the mind. The creativity swirling in this band is intense! They are intelligent, skillful and gifted musicians who take their time putting their music (and art) together, and what they deliver is phenomenal. What inspires them in life, finds its way into their music. Tid has really made me see the artistry in music. You can close your eyes and listen to any of their songs, and float off into another time and place. To sum up how this album made me feel, I can come up with one appropriate word…euphoric. I am really looking forward to new material from these guys in the future, and I hope to see them touring soon to support their inspiring music. Cheers guys!!!
-Lady Siren Song
Tid’s Links:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/timeisdivine/
iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fix-ide-ep/id1136635111
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/album/7DqvtGI5Gviq3PcZIgpvU6
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