Five Ultra Creative Voices Create the ‘Deadtide’ Sound


Published on December 10, 2023

Music is indeed the globe’s lingua franca, forging profound and indissoluble connections among individuals, spirits, and visions that shape our world. Those at the pinnacle of music creation harbor a covert toolkit of matchless foresight, unflinching vitality, and innate prowess. These creators sculpt, craft, and distill ideas at a stratospheric level akin to Mount Everest.

In a lyrical sense, their tunes interpret and elucidate the arcane aspects of existence, giving speech to those who otherwise lack a voice. Recognizing their life’s purpose’s potency and influence fuels an individual’s journey towards their destined path.

A luminescent aura encircles these maestros of musical invention. Each piece they create reflects their enduring legacy at its core. The orchestration of immortal auditory instances in life mandates a celestial soul and a unique ecstasy.

The quintet of Mike Mindnich, Phil Arnone, Daniel Touw, Kenny Sheldon & Andrew Mortelliti amalgamate like ‘Voltron’ in the realm of heavy metal with their supergroup ‘Deadtide’. Born in disparate regions of the globe, they united under the omnipresent force of music. The scrupulous production process of Deadtide highlights their varied backgrounds and unconventional recording methods. Experiencing their music in real time elicits an inexplicable sensation.

Phil, also known by his stage name Chrome, holds the dual role of being a co-founder and the lead guitarist for the band Deadtide. His distinctive guitar melodies, harmonies, and hooks are instantly recognizable and appeal to every listener’s auditory senses.

His creativity and fervor for melodic metal style are clearly reflected in each song, with each piece of music boasting its own distinct flair and individuality. Through his original guitar compositions and songs, which he has been producing since 2006, Phil has garnered a considerable online following. His YouTube channel boasts 25,000 subscribers and has amassed more than 4 million views. The demand from his YouTube fan base to see his work in a band setting led to the creation of Deadtide, a collaborative effort with co-founder and vocalist Mike, also known as Mike Metal.

Mike contributes much more than just vocals to Deadtide. His vision extends to the conceptualization of lyrics and artworks, the messaging within the songs, and the imagery. Additionally, his musical influences span from punk and pop-punk, through electronic and synthwave, to pop music, all layered on top of the clear underpinnings of metal and hardcore.

Daniel brings a wealth of musical experience to Deadtide. With a background in concert and marching percussion along with proficiency in playing multiple instruments across various music genres, Daniel’s contribution is invaluable. His exposure to and absorption of diverse music styles enable him to produce unique drum parts that invigorate and refresh the melodic metal genre.

Andrew: He is the heartbeat of our music, delivering the deep, resonant bass tones that underpin each song. His skill lies in his ability to take an ordinary rhythm and infuse it with an unexpected twist, providing that extra bit of spice when the melody demands it.

Kenny: Known affectionately as “Mr. Facemelt”, Kenny infuses the band with a unique vigor through his scorching, electrifying lead guitar solos. A seasoned multi-instrumentalist, he has been a presence in the rock music scene since his early teens, playing in an array of bands across a myriad of genres for two decades. Over these years, he has amassed an impressive portfolio of work, providing the group with a wealth of dynamic experiences. His contributions to the band extend beyond his guitar-playing; he has also consistently worked on recording, writing and producing as a session guitarist and keyboardist, notably for the progressive metalcore band Changing Gods.

Furthermore, Kenny has toured both nationally and internationally with various bands stationed in the northeastern states of Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. These include symphonic metal bands like The Wizards of Winter and Anatomy of the Sacred, as well as rock bands such as Boston Molasses Disaster and Jaded Past among others. Kenny is adept at writing and performing across various musical styles but takes special pride in his ability to play melodic, epic heavy metal. With Deadtide, he brings an unrestrained passion and intensity that resonate strongly throughout every performance, his veins coursing with gun-metal gray fervor.

Deadtide stands as a pioneering and consequential force among nascent music bands in their category and popular culture. Their distinct musical blend allows for the creation of enduring music.

Jonathan P-Wright is CVO of RADIOPUSHERS and a contributor with The Ritz Herald.

Contributing Writer