Stars-in-waiting: Ones to watch

Their sound is an amalgam of everything that makes rock great: slow, sexy melodies blending into anthemic choruses, melting solos and a healthy amount of chest pounding, ear-popping bass. With songs like theirs, the sky's the limit for new act Rip Tyde.

While Birmingham is heralded as their new base, the heavy metallists will forever have their musical lineage set in Shropshire.

Band members Carl Grocutt (lead singer) and Mark Broome (guitar) were old friends from a band called Undue but following a split went onto their own projects.

In early 2012 the planets seemingly aligned when the two found themselves back together starting something new – Rip Tyde.

"We started working on new material for the new band straight away until we got to a point where we could start looking for new band members," Grocutt said.

The two quickly drafted in Phil Jones (guitar), Dan Jones (bass) and Mark Brookes (drums) each with a list of musical credentials longer than most bands; for example Mark actually taught himself how to play the drums yet could hold his own with any session player.

The band have since honed their craft together now for the past year and have marked that milestone with a brand spanking new EP 'New Horizon' (£3.16 iTunes).

Reviewers have consistently awarded the album top marks, it currently has a 5/5 star rating on iTunes, accompanied by sterling comments on the talent the guys possess. "The hardest part was actually trying to choose the four tracks to put on the EP; we have so many others we absolutely love."

It would appear they chose well; tracks to look out for are 'Can You Feel It' and 'Dark Light'. Can You Feel It is a question that doesn't need an answer, showing off the best of their vocals matched with a classic rock melody – what's not to love?

Dark Light does the same and more; with a heavier feel coming from the guitar work joined by incredible precision all round it's an instant classic.

What's more the guys have dedicated the Dark Light to the troops: "I've always wanted to do something for the men and women serving overseas and this was a chance for me do that". Carl also revealed he is in talks with the Help for Heroes charity with the aim of using the track to raise some much needed money to help the charity's work.

Playing live though is where the band truly comes to life.

As expected Dark Light finds itself a crowd favourite yet frontman Grocutt admits "Dark Light is a great track but I like Disgrace, it's really fun to perform!"

For a chance to see them live they are playing later this month, on August 31, at the Flapper in Birmingham (£5 on the door).

For more information/dates/tickets visit www.facebook.com/riptyderockband or the website www.riptyde.co.uk