ALBUM REVIEW: The Banished Heart – Oceans of Slumber
A band’s third album can often be the one that takes them into the stratosphere. BLACK SABBATH did it with Master of Reality, IRON MAIDEN struck gold with The Number of the Beast, METALLICA reached the next level of their career with Master of Puppets and SLAYER blessed the world with REIGN IN BLOOD. Naturally, this is something that doesn’t come around often but it has meant that the third studio release can come under significant scrutiny. Step forward Texan prog-metallers OCEANS OF SLUMBER and their album The Banished Heart, released on Friday via Century Media Records and a record that’s had to overcome all manner of obstacles to see the light of day.
Boy though, is it worth it in the end. As with most good progressive albums, this is not an easy listen; the eleven songs cover 65 minutes of music, three of the opening four clock in way over the eight minute mark and two of those, the title track and opening The Decay of Disregard, actually surpass nine. But if you’re willing to give The Banished Heart the time it deserves, an abundance of riches are uncovered in the form of texture, level and sonic prestige. The aforementioned The Decay of Disregard is sprawling and ominous, singer Cammie Gilbert’s sultry tones providing a wonderful contrast and foil to the downtrodden guitars that flow underneath. The same holds true for follow up Fleeting Vigilance, the first track to combine Cammie’s ethereal tones with the gruff, abrasive growls of guitarist Sean Garry in a beautiful juxtaposition that adds to the moody, dark and expansive atmosphere. Etiolation combines the heavy, meticulous strains of DREAM THEATER with the tech metal wizardry of TESSERACT to great effect and A Path to Broken Stars reveals some gorgeous keyboard and sample moments from drummer Dobber Beverly that succeed in taking you to a different plane of reality.
The back end of The Banished Heart is a lot more tender and fragile than the first and whilst it never feels out of place, it certainly gives Gilbert a proper chance to spread her wings and rubber stamp herself as one of the most competent and talent vocalists around today. Howl of the Rougarou (a mythical beast linked to the werewolf) begins with acoustic guitar and a Cammie at her most viulnerable, a spellbinding venture that is enhance by the short instrumental Her in the Distance. Then there’s No Color, No Light, a duet between Cammie and EVERYGREY frontman Tom S. Englund which sees the clean vocals of both dance around another track tinged with darkness. Rounding off proceedings is Wayfaring Stranger, a quite excellent cover of the JOHNNY CASH song, keeping one foot in its country roots but residing firmly in goth rock territory and a beautiful way to finish the album.
If there’s one criticism, it’s that at some points OCEANS OF SLUMBER can be found to fit too much in, but this is nitpicking at its finest. Give The Banished Heart your attention and patience and you’ll find it a rich and rewarding experience.
Rating: 8/10
The Banished Heart is set for release on March 2nd via Century Media Records.
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