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Holy Tide: Aquila
Holy Tide - Aquila Music Review

Holy Tide: Aquila

Symphonic Progressive Power Metal
4.5/5.0

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Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 26.06.2019 | Released: 28.06.2019

Arriving from Italy, Holy Tide is a new project by composer and bass player Joe Caputo. The debut album, Aquila features an international cast of recurring and guest artists. Yet, for the core of the band, Caputo is joined by vocalist Fabio Caldeira (Maestrick), drummer Michael Brush (Sirenia, Magic Kingdom), and guitarist Gustavo Scaranelo. Notable guests include Tilo Wolff from Lacrimosa and Don Airey from Deep Purple.

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Holy Tide

Largely symphonic progressive power metal, Aquila is an ambitious project with 14 tunes over 71 minutes. While there's obvious Biblical references within the songs, its not entirely clear whether Caputo is offering a Christian message, or simply a religious themes, in his lyrics. Nevertheless, several musical parts and patterns are quickly discovered and established throughout the album. One is simply the often large orchestration in the songs which creates a lush atmosphere. Caldiera sings melodic and clean with a strong voice. He often reminded me of a combination of Kamelot vocalist Tommy Karevik and Uriah Heep's David Byron, if you remember him. Another notable presence is the strength of the rhythm section. You'll hear the bass and drum lines rise in tandem within Godincidence, The Shepherd's Stone, and The Name Of Blasphemy. The bass line leads the start of Curse And Ecstasy. But the rhythm section also puts the power into the swift and heavy power metal of Lord Of The Armies, The Age Of Darkness, and the aforementioned Godincidence. Additionally, the guitar work bristles with lively fire in the solos provided by Kris Laurent throughout Aquila.

Mention should be made of the songs where the guest artists offer some musical contributions. Within the epic and highly orchestrated The Crack Of Dawn you'll hear the light harp work of Assunta Caputo. In the conclusion Of Curse And Ecstasy you'll hear her harp paired with the trumpet of Gabriele Stotuti in a lovely classical outro. Later, in the beginning and end of Return From Babylon, Peppe Frana offers some classic and delightful Oud play to an otherwise rambunctious power metal number. Don Airey provides Hammond organ within The Shepherd's Stone, but even with three listens I never heard him nor his Hammond. Tilo Wolff adds his voice to Lamentations, and if I never him sing again I would not be disappointed.

All said, Holy Tide's Aquila is an impressive and entertaining listen, an ambitious album of symphonic and progressive power metal wrapped in large, lush, and expansive arrangements. Recommended.


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The Bottom Line

All said, Holy Tide's Aquila is an impressive and entertaining listen, an ambitious album of symphonic and progressive power metal wrapped in large, lush, and expansive arrangements. Recommended.

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