| CD REVIEW The Ocean |
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Band: The Ocean Berlin-based combo The Ocean (not the American Doom / Sludge-band Ocean, without ‘the’) aren’t the most ‘average’ formation from Germany – on the contrary. Throughout the past decennium (the band was formed by guitar player Robin Staps in 2000), all material brought rather unusual and progressive-atmospheric geniality within a Post-Hardcore / Sludge-package. Each effort was different, yet with a specific sound and including the band’s specific approach. And what’s more: this band crosses boundaries, this band opens gates to unknown places still to discover, this band is both ambitious and inventive. Anthropocentric is the second part of Heliocentric-Anthropocentric, the first one being released in spring ‘10 (review posted on June 4th 2010). Lyrically it deals with faith and (the danger of monotheistic) religion, human raison d’être and related subjects, yet written from a rather original, characterising point of view – another thing that widens the gap between prediction and surprise (the latter referring to this band, of course, the first causing a certain apathy nowadays). And what about the (philosophical or psychological) inspirations and influences by sweet guys as Nietzsche or Dostoyevsky (ever heard about The Brothers Karamazov?)? Like Heliocentric, Anthropocentric comes, from instrumental and/or compositional vision, with a more melodious approach, going for both instruments and vocals. The vocals, by new singer Loïc, combine aggression with clean singing, and this gets brought in a nice equilibrium. These clean vocals aren’t boring or über-catchy (read: fake) but rather acceptable, and these voices stand in perfect contrast with the more brutal parts. An important difference, however, with the first part of this two-album concept, is the heavier approach. Yes, Anthropocentric comes with less acoustic parts and a limited use of piano and strings, still orchestral and ambient, yet with an increased focus on pounding oppression. What else? Well, experiment, atonal structures, immer-progressing, complex and frenetic, sometimes psychotic and lunatic, Sonic Art it is. And then, what about the additions and exceptions on a most(ly) unusual recording: elements from acid-inspired Trip-Hop Ambient, modern Post-Rock, avant-garde Progressive or Psycho-Grind, the use of non-Metal instruments (like vibraphone, additional strings (cello, contrabass, viola and violin, as well as piano) and blow/wind instruments (sax, trumpet, trombone)) etc… If you could appreciate Precambrian specifically, or The Ocean in general, then you won’t be disappointed by this newest effort, because it really is a master piece, well-thought, intelligently composed, and professionally performed. 85/100 Ivan Tibos. |
