Album Review: The Ocean – Solaris

Album Review: The Ocean – Solaris

Reviewed by Oli Gonzalez

When it comes to post-metal, there aren’t many bigger than The Ocean! They are to the genre what Slayer are to thrash. The Ocean have forged a reputation for being one of the finest live bands on the planet. Of any genre! I know for sure – I was there for their “Pelagial” set at Night Of Salvation 2024. An end of an era, in many ways, given that this was amongst their final shows with that lineup. August of this year marked their return to the stage with a headline set at Pelagic Fest in Maastricht, NL. Now, we can see what they’ve been up to in the studio with this new lineup, with their upcoming album “Solaris”.

The dual vocal approach is perhaps the most salient feature in this new era for The Ocean. Equally, it’s not the most obvious change. Let me explain. Loic left HUGE boots with his distinct voice, effortlessly switching from soothing cleans to demonic growls! The new man behind the mic Enrico was up for this challenge though, and frankly excels! Somehow, he steps up and captures the essence of Loic’s cleans and screams, but in no way shape or form feels like he’s trying to copy his predecessor. No, this is an authentic performance that is as believable as it is impressive. Then there’s Sane. She offers similarly calming and melodic resonance to her voice. Equally, she can flick a switch and unleash a weapon the band have never had in their arsenal. A wave of ethereal primitive style of vocals you’d associate with Heilung or Eivor, such is the deep haunting Pagan-like quality! Finding the correct vocabulary is hard to describe which is why the bonechilling impact needs to be experienced for yourself.

Their synergy and chemistry can be seen on multiple songs, perhaps most notably in ‘Ultima Esperanza’. With Enrico staying in his route one style of growls and Sane expressing herself in a jaw dropping array of shrieks and ethereal wails, the comparison to Cult Of Luna and Julie Christmas is uncanny! Alongside the mechanically tight grooves being laid down by the band’s instrumentation, the illusion is complete!

The Ocean have never been one for conventional songs. Preferring more expansive releases with anything but canonical song structures, “Solaris” is no different. Though ‘Simulacra’ is the grand champion coming in at a grand 17:53, making the rest of the songs that hover around the 10 minute mark seem short. This results in cinematic journeys that will appease those wanting a deeper immersive experience. Though this may also deter those wanting a quick dopamine hint from a much shorter song. A man who is no stranger to expansive cinematic length compositions is Hypno5e guitarist and frontman Emmanuel, who joins this new look version of The Ocean. It would be no surprise if he has imprinted himself into the band’s DNA already. Though this new version never strays too far from the band’s core sound. Instead, it feels like a natural progression rather than a radical shift. We hear the progressive and expansive emotion from earlier releases like ‘Pelagial’, albums where deep investment and patience is fully rewarded, alongside the new age electronic feel of ‘Holocene’ (though ‘Milk of My Dreams’ takes this EDM approach further and farther than any other).

Are there cryptic references to old band members and the old era of the band? The lines ‘’New Horizons, fearless until you get the courage’’ during ‘Ultima Esperanza’ suggests so, as well as the line “I will cherish every memory and every moment we shared” during the aptly named ‘Departure Song’. This hints at an overarching theme of transitions and inevitable changes that come in life. After all, change can be good, change can be bad. The Ocean had been dealt a terrible hand with the core of the band leaving, and with an un-enviable task of a thankless rebuilt project facing the remaining members. “Solaris” is not just the latest album in The Ocean’s storied history. It’s a statement of resilience, and rather than resisting change, fully embracing this and making the very best of the seismic shifts life had forced on them.

The Ocean are well and truly back!

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