Album Review: Desert Near The End – 'Tides of Time'
Desert Near The End are back with a new collection of tracks! The title: 'Tides of Time'. A record that'll give you plenty of musical stimulation.
By Dimitris (Bari) Polyzois
Athens Power/Thrash metallers Desert Near The End released, a little while back and via Theogonia Records, their sixth full-length album, titled "Tides Of Time". The record consists of nine epic tracks. With "Tides of Time", Desert Near The End step into a new era. Although it isn't a concept album like their previous works, this release is held together by its thematic exploration of humanity, destiny and the forces of history that shape us.
Sorting the tracks into categories
The album's songs can be sorted into three categories. The fast ones, with aggressive guitar and drum riffs plus epic choruses: "City Of Eternal Flame", "Ascension", "Oceans Of Time" and "Burn Like The Sun, Shine Like The Dawn. The tracks with Doom elements and shifts in tempo, from slow or mid tempo to fast, like "Children Of Lethe", "Half-Learned And Long Forgotten", "Sunset Fields" and "Damnation". And finally, the emotionally charged, stunning ballad that closes the album, titled "In The North Of Every Man's Heart".
In conclusion
The epic "Tides Of Time" is the best album Desert Near The End have released so far. The melodies that accompany the hard, aggressive drums and guitar riffs, combined with the slow Doom passages, send these tracks soaring. An album whose music and vocal performances move the listener, make them feel the intensity of battle, the hope and the despair, while at the same time serving up technical songs and choruses that will stay etched in their memory. A genuinely very good piece of work that's worth your time.
