ALBUM REVIEW: Disparity – Oceans Ate Alaska
OCEANS ATE ALASKA have come a long way since their 2015 debut Lost Isles. After the release of their second studio album Hikari in 2017, it is safe to say that the band have really taken off. Amassing more than 40 million streams, with the song Hansha racking up a tasty 12 million streams on Spotify alone, OCEANS ATE ALASKA are clearly onto a winner here. After a lengthy five-year wait, their highly anticipated third album Disparity is finally here, showcasing the band in a completely new light in the process.
Disparity contains a total of 11 awe-inspiring, hard-hitting tracks, with an ongoing message throughout which is just so impactful and relatable. OCEANS ATE ALASKA are keen to manifest the notion that you can be the change you need in your life; you just need to believe in yourself first. Lead vocalist James Harrison states: “For us, it’s about uplifting listeners. We want them to feel empowered to realize they can be the change they want. It’s still what we’re doing. It’s been a long time since we put out an album, but we’re here.” The album speaks about a post-apocalyptic inspired world, presumably drawing on the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the dark themes encountered on this release, it is evidently clear that OCEANS ATE ALASKA are here to keep us sane, giving listeners the hope and faith that they need in these uncertain times.
The first track on Disparity is Paradigm, which leaps in with an insanely heavy metalcore style riff, with Harrison emulating vocals similar to that of ATTILA‘s Chris Fronzak. The whole song is chaotically beautiful, introducing some almost classical vocal interludes into the mix from time to time. Nova certainly follows on from this, with head-splitting riffs and a fantastic mix of unclean and clean vocals leading the way. Discussing the current imbalance of modern society, there is no denying that this song is just so needed right now. Metamorph successfully changes things up with the use of synthesizers and rap style vocals, before moving right in with their iconic metalcore sound, seemingly inspired by BRING ME THE HORIZON.
Shallow Graves is up next, which features melodies which are similar to that of DANCE GAVIN DANCE. This song does a great job of upping the ante in the verses before an EMMURE-like chorus just sticks in our heads instantly. Sol continues on with the electronica themes heard in Metamorph, featuring some thunder-inducing instrumentals which excite us to our core. The clean vocal segments add some variation to the track, before some haunting synths in the midst successfully keep us wanting more. Dead Behind The Eyes contains jarring time signatures and some seriously impactful unclean vocals from Harrison. This song is like the perfect mix of BEARTOOTH and ATTILA all in one.
Plague Speech reconnects with their earlier BRING ME THE HORIZON influences again vocally, with Harrison sounding very similar to Oli Sykes in parts. Disparity fantastically changes up the whole dynamic of the album, interchanging the typical metalcore style with a solid instrumental, paving the way for the rest of the record at just over one minute and 30 seconds. Harrison‘s vocals on Empty Space are simply outstanding throughout, really showcasing the true talent of this band. Saying that, it’s not the best song instrumentally and lyrically.
New Dawn is another short interlude of a track, sitting at a mere one minute and 50 seconds in length. The sludge metal influences here are just so powerful, not to mention their interpretation of the doom metal genre too. The last track Hallucinogen makes you feel literally like you are hallucinating while you are listening. OCEANS ATE ALASKA start this song off with a dreamy, psychedelic melody before leaping right in with their undeniably infectious metalcore sound. The progressive nature of this track as a whole makes it so memorable and unique. It’s unlike anything ever heard before. What an incredible ending.
This is a pretty decent effort from OCEANS ATE ALASKA. Considering it is only their third body of work, their high-energy, impactful metalcore sound is just so addictive throughout the release. Progressive melodies, warped time signatures and insane vocals make Disparity what it is – a solid record.
Rating: 6/10
Disparity is set for release on September 1st via Fearless Records.
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