Light From Above is the latest offering from the Floridian quartet.

Their first full-length album begins with some dramatic feedback, leading into a Metallica-esque guitar riff, and fast-paced drums. It all sounds very promising, especially when 14-year-old frontman Gabriel starts singing the first verse of Shockwave: “I’m a shockwave and I’ll take your fucking life / Don’t mess with me, I’m a shockwave ready to kill.”

With a voice reminiscent to that of Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson, this first track on the album is definitely one of the best, containing antisocial lyrics, high-pitched vocals and squalling guitars.

Second track Shout is slightly less hard-hitting, and contains a lot of harmonising, bearing more resemblance to Guns N Roses. Black Tide have come up with a big sing-along, feel-good chorus though, which is apt due to the title of the song.

The album progresses with shredding guitars as well as more delicate intros [Warriors of Time], and it is obvious where they picked up many of their influences because of the similarities to 80’s hair metal bands including aforementioned Guns N Roses, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth.

However, as a band they’ve made it their own, and it’s blatant that they aren’t just a tribute band. Black Tide are a talented metal band, particularly when you take their young ages into consideration. This said though, you can’t help but find certain parts and songs slightly cheesy – Let Me brings to mind something you’d hear at a ridiculous wrestling match, or maybe off a scene in Wayne’s World.

Show Me The Way isn’t overly impressive either, but when the darker riff to Enterprise plays next, it’s an improvement and gets even better towards the end with the fierce percussion and speedy guitar solo.

As the name suggests, Live Fast Die Young is yet another comedy song which isn’t actually supposed to be funny. The guitar is still excellent, but the track as a whole is pretty irritating.

Hit The Lights is better, with a staccato intermission of drums followed smoothly with that screaming guitar again, as is Black Abyss – in fact, this is one of the strongest songs on here. With more growling vocals, and belligerent lyrics, Black Tides murkier songs like Black Abyss are a lot superior to the few annoyingly cheesy ones that are a let down.

Title track Light From Above is deceptive, as it starts with a soaring guitar riff that goes off on one for a while before the lyrics kick in, and the song becomes more enjoyable once the singing starts. It is a grower. The last song Black Widow sounds quite similar to a couple of their other tracks and it doesn’t really stand out, but it isn’t a complete disappointment.