Info
- Band(s): …and Oceans
- Label(s): Season of Mist
- Release Format(s): 12" vinyl, Cassette, CD
- Release Year: 2020
- Review Date: June 18, 2020
- Author(s): DPF
This one hit me hard after the first listen! 18 years after their last album, a band called …and Oceans strikes back with a record that probably shatters 99% of all Melodic/Symphonic induced Black Metal records out there (at least for 2020).
Founded 25 years ago in the north, Finland, …and Oceans released 4 albums between 1998 and 2002 gaining some praise for their blend of Symphonic Black Metal, although the mid era of the band was dominated by a more electronic industrial way of Metal, which will also appear several times on the record.
As I mentioned, the new record “Cosmic World Mother” is pure symphony in a very aggressive and brutal way. Blast beats faster than blizzards, tremolo picked riffs and vitriol vocals are pure fire and flames, all combined with tremendously beautiful melodies and grooves, creating that cosmic feeling the title suggests.
“As the After becomes the Before” is one of the many strong songs that is able to sound brutal, crushing, catchy, melancholic and heart melting at the same time, being an epic soundtrack to the battles mankind has to fight against (mostly against ourselves). A lot is going on, on this record, so you better listen to it a couple of times to figure out the details and to see the big picture behind it. The industrial elements are incorporated the more it goes towards the end of the record (second half) and are well embedded into the overall sound experience. The alternating speeds allow to breath before the warp speed ride continues, the more epic parts got enough space to reveal themselves fully.
The production is modern but not exhausting. Excellent job here. The artwork fits the title and is also forward thinking.
3 years since the comeback have past and they truly didn’t disappoint at all. This record will be on many lists at the end of the year. Killer!
Season of Mist
- Country: France
- Style: Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Thrash Metal, Other
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Spotify, Youtube
