ALBUM REVIEW: Cosmic World Mother – …and Oceans

It’s been almost two decades since we’ve heard a peep from Finnish symphonic black metal act …AND OCEANS but they have finally risen from the ashes and look to ignite the flame again with their latest opus, Cosmic World Mother. Emerging from the Nordic scene in 1995, …AND OCEANS graced us with their mix of black and symphonic metal eventually catching the attention of label Season of Mist. Their 1998 debut The Dynamic Gallery of Thoughts received high praise amongst critics and fans. Over time their sound has transformed, eventually culminating in the electronic laden A.M.G.O.D, which was a far cry from their black metal roots that featured a more post-modern sound, before the band called it a day in 2002. Fast forward 17 years and a reinvigorated …AND OCEANS reformed for a number of selected shows with a number of fresh faces brought into the fold which included FINNTROLL front man Mathias Lillmans. Could the Finns conjure up an album that hearkened back to the black metal roots of their powerful debut?

Thankfully, Cosmic World Mother sees the band return in fine form with an album that soars with a blazing conflagration of black metal but also has a heart at its core. Opening with The Dissolution of Mind and Matter, the album wastes no time into throwing you headfirst into …AND OCEANS‘ sound and they set a precedent for the remainder of the record. One of the main selling points with Cosmic World Mother is its ability to flow. It effortlessly weaves between darkened moments of chaos and spirals of light and hopefulness. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when one track ends and another begins which makes it feel like one giant body of work but perhaps makes it more difficult to distinguish between individual tracks. The opener bleeds into the next track Vigilance and Atrophy which features a blinding midsection of blast beats and soaring guitar work.

There are tons of symphonic moments scattered across the 48-minute runtime, which add a sense of grandeur and majesty to the onslaught of the more traditional black metal sound. A great example of this is on As the After Becomes the Before where the veil is lifted midway through the track to a more breathable section of instrumentation that still provides a sense of urgency. The vocals from experienced new recruit Lillmans are commanding and are filled with emotion, while not being that versatile, but accompany the music well with his energy and vigour.

Other notable tracks include Oscillator Epitaph which gives of vibes of CRADLE OF FILTH from days gone. It’s home to a more modern-sounding black metal style where the blast beats give way to a groovier pattern that is sure to make a few heads bang in unison. There is a short break from the pandemonium with piano-led instrumental In Abhorrence Upon Meadows that is rather beautiful and flows into next track Apokatastasis well. The album ends of a high note with the slow-burning but heart-wrenching The Flickering Lights with it’s commanding symphonic elements and solemn vocal performance.

The musicianship is undeniable within …AND OCEANS and their years of experience between them have obviously had an effect on their ability to work together and at no point does any member compromise on their skills. The guitar work is stellar without ever becoming overbearing or flashy for the hell of it and the drumming is solid. The symphonic elements brought in by Antti Simonen are fitting and purposeful but don’t overshadow any of the other instruments. This is a team effort from the band however there is a lack of a standout individual moment that truly makes the album shine above its competitors.

…AND OCEANS‘ capability to sculpt together both the dark and light elements of their sound has meant that they have created an album that is a well-crafted body of work that needs to be consumed as a whole. While there is the lack of individuality with the tracks, the album itself feels like a cinematic journey that proves that band’s extended break was what they needed to come back rejuvenated with their flame still burning bright.

Rating: 8/10

Cosmic World Mother is set for release May 8th via Season of Mist. 

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