More young rock bands in the early 2000s are looking toward rock from the '70s and '80s for musical inspiration, and while it's nice to hear the genre's legends influencing a new generation, there's always the danger that young new bands will mistake appreciation for appropriation. Happily, that's not the case with Black Tide. On their debut, Light from Above, Black Tide manage to incorporate sounds from Iron Maiden, early Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and numerous others in a way that makes them sound contemporaneous with their idols, not derivative of them. This is impressive enough, but it's nothing when compared with a musical prowess that is, quite frankly, stunning. All of the members -- Gabriel Garcia on vocals and guitar, fellow guitarist Alexander Nunez, bassist Zachary Sandler, and drummer Steven Spence -- display amazing proficiency, especially when their ages are taken into account. (All four were still in their teens when Light from Above was recorded.) There are numerous examples throughout the album, such as during the opening of Warriors, when Garcia and Nunez rattle off an extended acoustic guitar opening that is layered and complex but executed so naturally by the duo that it sounds effortless. Black Tide's rhythm section is also tight throughout Light from Above, with some particularly impressive work on the part of Spence. The percussionist turns in a solid performance that contains few frills but provides an unerring foundation for the rest of the band, no matter what the speed; when Garcia and Nunez take flight on their solos, Spence is right there with them. That's not to discount the contributions of Sandler, who underpins the proceedings with the same blend of precision and flair that drives the guitarists, particularly during the solos of Shockwave.

1		Shockwave
2		Shout
3		Warriors of Time
4		Give Me a Chance
5		Let Me
6		Show Me the Way
7		Enterprise
8		Live Fast Die Young
9		Hit the Lights
10		Black Abyss
11		Light from Above

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