THE OCEAN

Okay, let's take timeout for a moment here before going any further. The Ocean are one of the scene's most genuinely progressive bands and adhere to a distinction I've made many times before - that is to say, we're not talking generic prog, rather true innovation through forward-thinking compositions and music. And remaining true to such a dynamic, with 'Heliocentric', The Ocean have progressed their sound into further experimental territory, thus do not approach this album with the expectation of another 'Precambrian', or indeed the heavy brutality of 'Aeolian'. Their latest release certainly has elements of both, and the ten tracks that comprise 'Heliocentric' are rich with layers of multifarious instruments to accompany the band's core performers, as with the stupendously epic 'Precambrian', so piano, wind and string parts are rife throughout. What will perhaps surprise many though is the overall 'calmer' and more mellow feel to the whole thing. There are heavy passages during some songs, but these are purposefully deployed to invoke a particular emotion or thematic tone at key points in the album's conceptual foundations of its philosophical attack on Christianity. Take note black metal bands, religion can be debunked far more intelligently than to redundantly oppose God with all this pseudo-evil talk of Satan worshipping - that's right, go read up on heliocentrism and the 16th century theories of Nicolaus Copernicus for an early refutation of the Bible's then hegemony. Interesting stuff, believe me. And The Ocean don't stop at Copernicus as they also bring into the mix Christianity's other philosophical enemy, Darwin. However, for those who want to simply enjoy the music without delving beneath the surface into its conceptual significance, then 'Heliocentric' will delight those whose proclivity is towards genuinely progressive music. Genuinely progressive, that is, without straying from accessibility in the listening experience, and always maintaining affective depth. Katatonia are one such band who achieve all those elements, although I do not make a direct comparison to the Swedes here as The Ocean are stylistically unique in their own right. Also worthy of note is that this album has the first appearance of vocalist Loic Rossetti, newly recruited after the departure of Mike Pilat, and he carries off the growls and clean singing parts brilliantly, and everything in between; an exceptional discovery for Robin Staps & co, and a real asset to the band. You might also want to note that 'Heliocentric' is only the first opus in a dual concept, as 'Anthropocentric' is due for release later this year. I personally can't wait. For now, though, let's all revel in the majesty of 'Heliocentric'. Amazing stuff.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

Metal Blade Records

Album

HELIOCENTRIC

Review by Mark Holmes

RUNNING TIME:

50:42

RELEASE DATE:

12th April 2010

TRACK LISTING

1) Shamayim
2) Firmament
3) The First Commandment of the Luminaries
4) Ptolemy Was Wrong
5) Metaphysics of the Hangman
6) Catharsis of a Heretic
7) Swallowed by the Earth
8) Epiphany
9) The Origin of Species
10) The Origin of God

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Germany

"There are heavy passages during some songs, but these are purposefully deployed to invoke a particular emotion or thematic tone at key points in the album's conceptual foundations of its philosophical attack on Christianity."