The Ocean - Pelagial (2013, 2CD)

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The Ocean - Pelagial (2013, 2CD)

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Vast, deep and powerful are only three of the infinite adjectives that can be used to describe 70% of the Earth's make up. There is a scope to the world's oceans that is hard to wrap ones mind around. They are their own universe within the world in which they cover. At any given time, seas of soothing calm can transform into explosive vistas unharnessed by mankind and depths of which are still unexplored. Fittingly enough the same can be said of Germany's Ocean Collective.

Founded in 2000 by guitarist and creative force, Robin Staps, The Ocean has created some of metal's most unique and genuine soundscapes. Throughout it's existence, the band has been comprised of various musicians of the highest caliber, and have released progressive, post-metal works of ingenuity and sheer talent unlike any of their peers. The Ocean are raw, beautiful, and deep with passion and unbridled in their ability to create. Recently, the band as whittled itself into a group of five core artists still led by Staps. Three years after releasing their last full length, Anthropocentric, The Ocean have re-emerged from the depths with Pelagial.

Pelagial is a prime example showcasing this band's sheer musical capabilities and emotional depths. Originally, it was conceived to be released as a purely instrumental album after singer Loic Rossetti had taken a hiatus from the band. Gradually, it was decided to feature singing on only a couple of songs but, in the end, morphed into a full album complete with vocals. Pelagial was released as a double album with the vocal performance and the instrumental version.

Cutting to the chase, Pelagial, is just simply amazing, not only in execution, but also design. The record plays forward with the theme of being on the surface and gradually descending into deeper realms as it continues on. There are no breaks in the duration of the record as each song ebbs and flows into each other seamlessly creating an atmosphere of how big of a work the overall album is in scope. It does not, however, feel like one long song as the transitions are subtle and gentle while the bulk of the songs themselves are powerful enough to give them their own definition. This is credited to the band's amazing ability to envision and produce.

The intro song, "Epipelagic" sets the tone and begins the journey with a meditative feel featuring aquatic sound samples, piano and harp loosely played with a faint orchestral background which leads us into the bulk of the album as it blends into "Mesopelagic: The Uncanny". The Ocean guides the listener through a smooth sounding, groove inspired introduction with clean singing before quickly giving way to the band's signature heavy post-metal sound and yelled vocals. As the album progresses, the band very nicely balances the passages of mellow and heavy, never straying from a fresh and innovated sound that continually commands the listener's attention. "Bathyalpelagic I: Impasses" is an album highlight and one of the best songs The Ocean has ever composed as it is filled outright with a beautifully intense passion ending with the question, 'How much control do we have over what we wish for?'. All aspects of this release are stellar from the musicianship to the packaging. Pelagial entwines superb compositions with elements of progressive rock and metal performed with top-notch talent, thoughtful lyrics/themes all wrapped in an ingenious production worthy of any music lover's appreciation.

This is a very hard review to write as trying to encapsulate the greatness of this record is nearly impossible. In the end, The Ocean's performance on Pelagial is fully embodied and masterful. On their forward path of progression, the band continues to perfect their music much to the amazement and awe to those who listen. Pelagial is The Ocean's strongest release to date, a pinnacle for the band and a masterpiece. However, just as the same goes for the Earth's vast and powerful seas, there are constant movements and depths yet to be discovered.

~ 10/10 by www.deathportal.net