Album Review: Oceans of Slumber - Oceans of Slumber
Reviewed by Robbie Maguire
Riding the crest of a wave and off the back of building a reputation as one of the most interesting and constantly impressive live bands Oceans of Slumber find themselves in a bizarre but not unique situation. With anticipation rightfully high for the release of their self titled fourth album, the Texan death doom band are treading unknown waters at present. But then isn’t everyone? The only difference is that without live shows to back up new material some bands may not be able to reach as many potential new fans. Such is the quality on ‘Oceans of Slumber' this is not a concern for the band. If anything this release will see them become even more of a household name in extreme metal and dare I say will have them knocking loudly or rather beating the door to the mainstream metal world down.
With an enviable ability to keep the listener fully engaged Oceans of Slumber have a full range of weapons in their armoury. It would be unfair to suggest that they are a one person band or that the musicians are the supporting act to the main event that is Cammie Gilbert. However there is no denying that the voice of the charismatic vocalist is so integral to the overall sound and in itself creates so many moments of interest and at times leaves you simply in awe.
On the flip-side the band still can hold their own in the sonically heavy stakes. The monstrous ‘The Adorned Fathomless Creation' with its ferocious blast-beats pushing the song punishingly onwards and the deep resonating, guttural death growls is a straight up heavyweight death metal rager. It's oppressive yet with a distinctly invigorating sound. The ability though to shift so effortlessly within songs be it changes in tempo, rhythm or adding another dimension to the sound is something Oceans of Slumber truly exceed at. It is refreshing to hear the well established death metal sound being totally thrown on its head. Many have tried, some have succeeded in bringing an individuality to this very direct strain of metal. Who out there would be so bold as to include a song that could rightfully be lifted straight from an Oscar winning film score as they have with ‘September'. Yet to make it sit perfectly within the pummelling blast-beats, swathes of doomy guitar and infectious pop like choruses is no accident but brave and every bit intentional. The repeating piano motif and strings play out a wondrous harmony. Its gentle and tranquil and has a achingly beautiful charm. The dynamics and atmosphere shift to a darkened yet strangely uplifting feel in the infectious ‘A Return to the Earth Below'. Vocal hooks pull you in again and again and you cant do anything other than surrender to its addictive charm. Deep doomy swathes of guitar give way to a sense of melody that wouldn’t be out of place in a perfect pop song.
The bluesy elegance of ‘To The Sea' further takes you into dense and atmospheric waters. What’s clever is you don't realise how punishing and bestial the music can be at times as it is so dramatic and with so many immersive and uplifting moments. Moments of darkness within the deep layers but so quickly be it a vocal hook, a delicate piano passage or a toiling bell you are whisked off to another stirring or inspiring place momentarily.
The album closes with a respectful nod to Type O Negative with a classy cover of their ‘Wolf Moon (including Zoanthropic Paranoia)'. The understated synth doom is a triumph and the mournfully sombre accentuated chords yield yet more character and emotion, something the New Yorkers were cleverly and innovatively creating 25 years ago. Oceans of Slumber have that doomy undercurrent running throughout the album and it is a fitting way to close end this journey.
Relentlessly heavy, mesmeric and inspirational. At times you’ll listen and engage with the sentiment you’ll pick out within the songs. Dripping in emotive moments and unnerving darkness there is a beacon of shining, radiant light that resonates throughout the seventy minutes running time. A beacon of uplifting hope pulls through. In these dark and for many , anxious times we find ourselves in it may just be that in ‘Oceans of Slumber' you have the perfect tool and soundtrack to help you through these very strange and uncertain times.
