If a band is called TRIBAL, just like what some people tattoo on their skin, it must be a real rock band, right?
Yes, indeed, because what the band from Switzerland has already released with their flagship "I-Dentity" in May 2012 is rock. Heavy rock, sometimes melancholic, sometimes dark, sometimes driving, sometimes exhilarating, but always rock.
Thirteen songs, of which only two are under four minutes, are with every pore what many call rock and only a few actually know. Rock! This is with guitars, bass, drums. This is fat sound. This is also a bit bombastic.
But... this is not exaggerated nonsense, overdriven distortions, or a put-on attitude to cover up a lack of masculinity, self-esteem, or self-confidence.
Rock is honest, close, and from the heart! That is TRIBAL!
The band manages to skillfully navigate through the cliffs of bro rock and kitschy heavy rock without crashing into the rock of post-something bands. They also do not stop at the beach of egotistical guitar solos.
TRIBAL creates a unique sound that initially seems almost strange because you haven't heard anything like it in a long time. These are melodies that are perfectly arranged, and the lyrics fit well too.
The band mostly moves at mid-tempo, with some parts being heavily slow, which can bring you to gothic rock. However, the band is not that, even if they are certainly not averse to the dark side.
You have to open yourself to the band's music, as their songs, which often have around 5 minutes of runtime, want to be listened to and discovered. These are songs that you damn well have to listen to loud. This is real rock, without frills and put-on attitude, just plain rock.
The Swiss from TRIBAL have got it! With "I-Dentity," the band has achieved a great success. Hats off!
