ALBUM REVIEW: Solaris – The Ocean
Sometimes, progressive metal is about atmosphere over technical ability. A lot of bands prefer it the other way around, but not THE OCEAN. Being a collective means that every member has to work around each other’s strength meaning that the result does not have to be the most complex musical arrangement possible. This is the feeling that their latest studio album Solaris gives. It is an album where the ambience dominates. This is incredibly effective on the shorter tracks, but on the longer ones, you may get lost upon listening to them.
Departure Song is the first example of this. There is a futuristic vibe that kicks the song off, before the guitars kick in. The vocals stay very similar in this first section, even with when the drums enter. The second section of the track includes the dynamic between both male and female vocalists, which is where the first chorus appears. At just around the 3-and-a-half-minute mark, the first big change is noticeable. The vocals change drastically to match the more complex drum and guitar patterns. The guitar solo follows, with this same complex drum rhythm in the background before the track returns to the chorus, which is sung in a much more cinematic manner. The song ends with a call and response section between both singers with parts of the chorus lines, as the guitars improvise in the background.
Light Pollution is the follow up track and is just under 10 minutes long. Starting off with synths, the drums accompany them, as more and more keyboard layers get added on. The vocals and guitars enter quickly afterwards, and they start off soft before building up in the first big sounding chorus section. A guitar solo follows with vocal harmonies underneath it as a transition into the next section, which is much heavier, and includes a little bit of harsh vocals. This contrast between heavy and more softer parts continues until the chorus returns. A brief third verse follows to mark the beginning of another guitar solo which acts as a segue to the ferocious sounding breakdown which wraps the track up.
Milk Of My Dreams is part of the trilogy of songs that wrap the whole experience up together. The synths and drum machine dominate this track which helps it stand out. Halfway through the song, there is a slight build up to the electronic like synths and middle Eastern influenced vocals, however, it is very subtle which works incredibly well with this track, as the song ends on a softer note just the same way as it began.
It is the shorter songs on this album, such as Milk Of My Dreams which work really well in immersing you into the atmosphere of the music, as opposed to the longer ones. The longer tracks just sound like a collection of segments with no cohesion really between them. The vocals on all the songs though, are outstanding and especially the way they intertwine. This gives Solaris enough substance to make it incredibly entertaining despite the longer songs dragging on. Making Solaris a fun yet inconsistent release. One which makes the collective stand out once more.
Rating: 6/10
Solaris is out now via Pelagic Records.
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