Inspired by the sounds of the '70s, heavy rockers Tanith release their full-length debut album!
Tanith seemed to appear from out of nowhere with the Citadel single in late 2017, presenting an unsuspecting public with something new and exciting with little initial hype. The largely-NYC-and-also-Newcastle Upon Tyne four-piece have as clear an idea of what they're about as any band I've encountered. Their own promotional material invokes Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep and Blue Oyster Cult as inspiration, and it's easy to detect some early Rush lurking around in the grandiose, fantastical vision they offer. Their debut full-length, 'In Another Time', communicates this clearly from the vivid, cosmic cover work by Brooklyn based artist Luke Cantarella to the wealth of melody, riffs and atmosphere contained therein.
Opener Citadel (Galantia Pt 1) pushes the listener straight into the world that Tanith have created with this record. The key features of the their sound are quickly given prominence here: dual guitar leads supplied by Russ Tippins (Satan, Blind Fury, Pariah, Russ Tippins Electric Band) and Charles Newton, powerful riffs in a lush, over driven sound and the interplay and harmony of Tippins' and bassist Cindy Maynard's vocals. The pacey bombast of Citadel is immediately followed by the more sinister-sounding, traditionally 'heavy' Book Of Changes. This reinforces the band's effortless command of dynamics and atmosphere with stately-sounding dual leads giving way to a surprisingly heavy main riff played at a marching pace. Melodic, harmonising vocals reinforce the heavier atmosphere through contrast.
This well-honed sound continues with minor variations throughout the album, lyrics chiefly keeping a studied focus on fantasy themes with a generally positive bent. The chief example of this comes with album highlight Under The Stars, a paean to confronting a world of cynicism and materialism with childlike wonder. Eleven Years provides something of a break from the 'Wishbone Ash with more bite' formula, this song's tale of a man afflicted with ennui lent an almost 1960s psych-pop quality and allows for some low-key showing off by drummer Keith Robinson.
By the album's conclusion (a short instrumental reprise of Under The Stars), the listener can be sure of a band greater than the sum of its' parts. In the songwriting, the vocal harmonies and the overall musicianship this band is a force to be reckoned with. Do yourself a favour and see them on tour this Autumn!
Listen to and purchase Tanith's music from Metal Blade. For upcoming news and tour dates follow the band on Facebook.
Writer: Craig Stewart
