Welsh band Edit The Tide blend heavy riffs and soaring vocals in a gritty but melodic metal sound that they describe as “powerful, emotional and dynamic.”
The Bridgend quartet got together in 2023 after crossing paths through the local music scene. Rob Norris (guitar and backing vocals) and Dave Snell (bass) had first met studying Popular Music at college years ago, but went on to play in different projects. They eventually teamed up with lead vocalist Benjamin James and drummer Rudy Mason, and once they started jamming, it clicked.
On the sound they’ve crafted since, the band said: “We all wanted to write something that had both weight and emotion — heavy riffs with real heart behind them. It’s been full steam ahead ever since. Think big riffs, huge choruses, and a lot of heart. We sit somewhere between the raw power of metal and the emotion of alt-rock. It’s music you can headbang to, but it’ll probably hit you in the feels too.”
Our latest taste of this is the band’s second EP, The Space Between Seconds, which was released on Friday and was mixed and produced by Romesh Dodangoda. The EP opens up with drawn-out guitars and distant vocals in the intro to Echoes, which drops into a powerful opening verse. That flows into an atmospheric singalong chorus, which ends with a little guitar lick, before a brief pause gives way to another big verse and chorus. Another guitar lick gives way to heavier guitars and vicious screamed vocals as the track takes a dark turn, before the pace drops with light vocals building up to a big conclusion. On the track, the band tell us: “It’s the one that really sets the tone live and gives people a taste of where our sound’s heading.”
Next up is The Cost of Standing Still, which starts with a chunky bassline and rolling drums as guitars creep in and develop into a funky little stabbing riff. Engaging vocals come in, then screams of “We are one but not one” build up to a chorus of “Listen, He who allows, Oppression, Fits the crime, Not the question.” Edgy guitars and heavier vocals lead an intense second verse, which flows into another catchy chorus, ending with big screamed vocals teeing up a final chorus.
That’s followed by the EP’s lead single Dancing With Shadows, which opens up with rolling drums that continue under a cool guitar lick. Delicate guitars continue under engaging vocals that flow into a big singalong chorus “I’m dancing with shadows, You’re crossing the line once again.” The chorus extends second time around, dropping into a stabbing guitar note under more intense vocals, which builds up to an atmospheric conclusion.
The pace drops for the intro of Antithesis, with light guitars under Benjamin’s engaging vocals. A chunky bassline and light drums kick in, then heavier guitar chords and big screamed vocals lead into a big catchy chorus. Driving drums come in over a funky little riff, before big cries of “lonely is my reflection now” teeing up another chorus. Stabbing guitars come in, before heavy screamed vocals tee up a cool section with cries of “following home” then a distant guitar lick and stabbing guitars support backing vocals as the track comes to an engaging conclusion.
The EP ends with Time And Error, a track the band describe to us as “definitely a special one.” As they explain: It captures the whole vibe of the record perfectly: heavy, emotional, and cinematic.” It starts out with light instrumentals, before a little guitar lick introduces a powerful opening verse with little glockenspiel notes in the background adding some intrigue. It flows into a big chorus, before a more intense second verse. A second chorus ends with chunky guitar chords and meandering licks over dual vocals and light instrumentals bringing the EP to a mellow ending.
On the EP, the band told us: “Honestly, we can’t wait for people to hear it. This EP feels like a big step up for us – it’s heavier, more progressive, and definitely more personal. There’s a lot of energy in these songs, but also some really reflective moments too.
“Working with Romesh was incredible. He’s got such a sharp ear for detail and really helped us bring out the best in each track. He pushed us to dig deeper without losing that raw energy that defines who we are.”
The EP follows swiftly on from Edit The Tide’s debut release Reflections In Sound, which was released last year. it’s a little more anthemic in style, with tracks like the opening track Ambience and the excellent Paradigm and With Regret.
The Edit The Tide sound draws influence from bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, Thrice, Periphery and Alexisonfire, who they say “all balance heaviness and melody so well, and that’s something we really connect with.”
And on what inspires them to write music, the band explains: “A lot of it comes from real life – the stuff everyone goes through: change, loss, figuring yourself out. We try to capture those moments where things feel heavy but hopeful at the same time. That’s where the name The Space Between Seconds came from, actually – those tiny moments where everything shifts.”
Edit The Tide’s second EP, The Space Between Seconds, is out now, and you can see them perform it at an EP release show at Black Cat in Bridgend on Friday (28 November). Tickets are available here. The band also has more shows in the works, along with writing more music to come, as they’ve already started writing new material.
And the band added: “It feels like we’re only just getting started, to be honest. We’re really proud of what we’re doing and massively grateful to everyone who’s supported us so far. If you’re into big hooks, heavy riffs, and honest lyrics, come to a show or check out the new EP – that’s the best way to get to know us.”
You can follow Edit The Tide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon Music and YouTube.
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