ALBUM REVIEW: While Time Disappears – Our Oceans
Anyone who has been a fan of progressive metal music throughout its many phases should be pretty well acquainted with the prowess of CYNIC and EXIVIOUS. Some of their former members have formed an exciting new project known as OUR OCEANS. The trio’s debut album While Time Disappears is out now via Long Branch Records and could well be sneaking its way into your end of year lists!
Unravel sets a dramatic tone with its particularly jarring introductory sequence. Vocals subtly slot into the piece with a delicate, emotive style and an enticing lyrical prose accompanied with calming instrumentation. Short sharp energetic bursts sneak their way in and they soon take a more central role towards the latter stages as the heaviness is turned up a notch. Spine tingling vocal flourishes and a mouthwatering guitar solo neatly cap off an exciting opener. Weeping Land follows a similar, soothing yet sombre vibe. The vocals effortlessly float through the piece like ripples in a stream. The piece begins to build with a minimalist drum beat and supporting bass lines that create an intriguing atmosphere as it progresses. As we approach the closing minutes of this track an ominous tone develops. The Hearts Whisper continues the alluring elegance instilled by its predecessors. The instrumentation feels clean and engaging, allowing you to drift along on its tasteful melodies. The vocal work sits aloft the composition with its commanding, sometimes piercing tone which only adds to the dramatic, elevating effect it provides.
Motherly Flame displays a more eccentric array of intricacies including a darker, haunting narrative. Prominent bass lines provide a solid backbone to the arrangement as vibrant, mesmerizing guitar work makes an appearance to add further emphasis. Passing By utilises effective harmonics and lets the vocals lead the way once more. For someone who wasn’t entirely confident about his role as a vocalist Tymon Kruidenier certainly has a varied bag of tricks up his sleeve, luring you into the palm of his hand for the duration. Face Them kicks it up a notch with energised guitar work and frantic drumming to give you an instant shot of adrenaline. Technical bursts aplenty showcase the level of musicianship that OUR OCEANS are capable of when they feel inclined to unleash it.
Your Take‘s swelling instrumentation leaves you on the edge of your seat wondering where this track will lead to next, feeling like it could potentially spark into a heightened tempo at any moment. Whilst teasing you it quite happily plods along at a consistent pacing, letting its swathes of subtle melody play the focal point. You Take feels very intimate and enchanting as tranquil vocal pieces act as a gentle accompanying caress. The shifts in tone ensure you are fixated on every word and note which is produced, creating one of the most compelling pieces this album has to offer, especially when it approaches the closing segments. It is a shame that this release has to end but With Hands Torn Open makes certain that it will leave a lasting impression on you. Each member has their opportunity to display some of their individualistic flair as quirky drum fills, snappy bass lines and exhilarating guitar work all join forces to leave you in a state of euphoria before they depart.
This endeavour may not be quite as chaotic and complex as the bands that they once inhabited but OUR OCEANS have created an intelligent, articulate and accessible release which hits you in all the right places. The smooth, alluring vocals and silky guitar tones prove for an enjoyable listen and the moments of sporadic intensity provide exciting pockets to digest along the way. It will be intriguing to see where their journey takes them and how they evolve beyond While Time Disappears and whether they continue with a similar style or find themselves delving into the more extreme side of the spectrum.
Rating: 9/10
While Time Disappears is out now via Long Branch Records.
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