the dreadful tides story so far ….
The Dreadful Tides were born from a simple Facebook post by guitarist Justin Strudwick:
“Looking at starting a classic rock band”.
At the height of the pandemic, when Melbourne's live music scene had all but ground to a halt, Strudwick was determined to build a band that celebrated the power of classic hard rock while forging it's own identity.
Drummer Leland Hallett answered the call, and after sharing influences and ideas, the pair finally met in January 2021 to jam with bassist Idan, The first original song they played together was “Crazy” and within minutes it was obvious something special was happening. The chemistry was undeniable.
The final piece of the puzzle arrived in February when vocalist Holden Stirling successfully auditioned after responding through the same Facebook group. Although bassist Idan later stepped away due to personal commitments, the momentum never slowed. Darius joined on bass and completed the lineup, allowing the band to continue refining its songwriting and developing a sound built on powerful riffs, memorable hooks and carefully crafted song structures inspired by the great rock bands of the 70's and 80's.
Determined to capture that energy, The Dreadful Tides entered Lighthill Studios with acclaimed Melboure Producer Ricki Rae.
“There was something in that studio that immediately felt like home. Ricki has become the fifth member of The Dreadful Tides.”
The sessions produced debut singles “Crazy” and “House Of Pain”, introducing the band to audiences befiore their powerful cover of Black Sabbath's “N.I.B.” further established their reputation. As their live performances gathered momentum throughout Melbourne, The Dreadful Tides quickly earned a reputation as one of the city's hardest-hitting emerging rock acts.
Following lineup changes and a renewed sense of purpose, the band returned stronger than ever with 2022's breakthrough single “Foul Play”. The groove-driven anthem showcased a more mature song writing approach, earning widespread praise for it's production, arrangement and explosive performance.
When bassist Darius departed for personal reasons, Wes Hopkins stepped in seamlessly. Bringing his own blend of versatility, musicality and thunderous low end, Hopkins added another dimension to the band's already formidable sound. With the lineup solidified once again, opportunities to support major acts and perform across Melbourne continued to grow.
In 2023 the band released “Rebel” recieving further airplay and expanding its growing fanbase. However, another major changed when Stirling left the band.
The search for a new frontman began and Jimmy Black was selected to front the band. His explosive performances at the auditions added something new to the band's sound.
Possessing commanding stage presence and an unmistakable voice, Black immediately elevated the band's already powerful identity. His arrival completed what many consider the definitive lineup of The Dreadful Tides.
Wasting no time, the band returned to Lighthill Studios to record new material, including “Fire In The Hole”. Originally written during the previous lineup, the song was completely reimagined through Black's lyrical vision. Rather than simply replacing vocals, he transformed the song into a gripping story of a retired soldier haunted by recurring flashbacks and PTSD. This session became the first with the new line up and would shape the next sessions resulting in a world class debut EP release.
The resulting EP is a relentless hard rock assault.
Driven by Strudwick's crushing riffs, Hallett's explosive drumming, Hopkins' thunderous bass work and Black's commanding vocal performance, “Fire In The Hole” delivers an unforgettable chorus built for audiences to shout back from the front row. The video for the song has that same powerful chaotic feel.
The second single from the EP “Black Widow” is possibly the bands most melodic moment on the EP is a brooding dark tale of betrayal and love gone wrong.
With the five track debut EP completed in late 2024, The Dreadful Tides locked in a self promoted SOLD OUT launch at Bebe's Bar in Falkner, Melbourne for January 2025 where the band delivered a showcase set that simply ignited the fuse. Playing the EP from top to bottom, it truly set in stone that the band had evolved into a new beast.
“Animal Inside” the third single sees the band unleash a different kind of beast, groove filled, heavy riffs, a hook heavy chorus all driven by the thunderous rhythm section of Hallett and Hopkins show what this band does when put into overdrive. Black's growl at the end of the song will leave hairs standing on end and a chill in your spine. This is beast has been unleashed and has become a crowd favourite as it does what the title says, brings out the animal inside us all.
The fourth single “House Of Pain” is a reworked version of the song originally released in 2021. This one still has that dark emotion but shines a new light on the message behind it. Dark, brooding, emotion filled connects this time like it hasnt before. This is storytelling at its finest.
Never content to stand still, The Dreadful Tides have continued working alongside Ricki Rae, recording new material that pushes their sound even further. Their latest single , “Love Sick” reveals another side of the band.
Built around a slow-burning swagger, “Love Sick” is an irresistibly seductive hard rock anthem. Clever lyrical innuendo combines with thick grooves and dynamic musicianship to create a song that builds tension from beginning to end. The verses tease, the chorus hits with undeniable force, and the extended outro explodes into an exhilarating climax that leaves the listeners wanting another fix.
“Love Sick” the final single from the self-titled debut EP is leaving the best until last. “Love Sick” is the final crscendo and the shining moment the band has been waiting to share. Purposely kept from streaming services until July 30, this marks chapters for the band. A final celebrationof the EP and unlocks the door to new music from The Dreadful Tides.
As The Dreadful Tides have picked up momentum winning fans show after show they have also collected support and endorsements from Gibson guitars, Rech Drums, Red Monkey Guitar Straps, EMG Pickups and support from Marshall Amplification. It is undeiable The Dreadful Tides have made an impact n a short period of time.
Live, The Dreadful Tides have built a reputation as one of Melbourne's most exciting live rock bands. Regardless of their position on a lineup, they consistently leave audiences talking long after their final note.
Their live performance captures everything that makes the band unique - raw energy, crushing riffs, huge grooves, unforgettable hooks and genuine chemistry between four musicians completely committed to serving the song.
With sold out shows under their belts in 2026 The Dreadful Tides are committed to expanding their already blooming fan base nationally. With each live show, the bands fan base has exploded and the demand for The Dreadful Tides continues to grow.
Jimmy Black commands the stage with magnetic confidence, delivering powerful, soulful vocals that efforlessly move from dark, gritty intensity to soaring melodic highs.
Justin Strudwick combines the attitude of Dimebag Darrell, Zakk Wylde, Angus Young and Tony Iommi while maintaing a style that is unmistakably his own. His riff writing and lead work provide the backbone of The Dreadful Tides unmistakable sound. It is also noteworthy that “Struddy” has amassed a massive following of over 96k followers on his instagram page.
Wes Hopkins delivers melodic yet thunderous bass lines, balancing groove and power with influences that echo Geezer Butler, Jaco Pastorius and Cliff Williams.
Behind the kit, Leland Hallett is the engine room of the band - a powerhouse drummer whose instinct for dynamics, feel and songwriting drives every performance with precision, force and flair.
The Dreadful Tides refuse to be confined or compared to one single artist or genre. Drawing inspiration from classic hard rock and heavy metal while creating something entirely their own, they have forged a sound that is instantly recognisable as their own.
Simply put, there is no band that sounds like The Dreadful Tides.
The Dreadful Tides are :
Jimmy Black - Vocals
Justin “Struddy” Strudwick - Guitars/Vocals
Wes Hopkins - Bass/Vocals
Leland Hallett - Drums/Vocals