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"The Ocean concludes its series of prehistoric albums with "Holocene", which is more atmospheric and ambient than usual, but still progressive and passionate."
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4/5
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"Holocene" is (already) the tenth album from Germany's The Ocean. It takes its name from the last track on their previous album, "Phanerozoic II", released in 2020. Far from the usual rough post-metal of Robin Staps' band, should this more atmospheric title be taken as an omen of "Holocene"?
Clearly, yes. And confirmation comes as soon as the opening diptych 'Preboreal'-'Boreal', with its electro intro and its arpeggios supported by refined, precise drums. Loïc Rossetti's intoxicating vocals, vocal samples and atmospheric, progressive ambiences inevitably bring to mind O.S.I. or Anathema's "A Natural Disaster" period. The pared-down, even minimalist ambiences and orchestrations ('Sea of Reeds') show how The Ocean has chosen a different musical direction from his usual committed post-metal. And it's only on the last third of 'Atlantic', which has been hypnotic and electro until now, that the roughness of Gojira-style metal reminds us that "Holocene" is indeed a post-metal album.
'Subboreal' follows a similar progression, from electro-ambient to frenzied post-metal, before the tension eases for a while with the more pop-oriented 'Unconformities', which offers Swedish singer Karin Park an accessible track tailor-made for her soft, expressive voice, until the second half's skilful shift towards aggressive metal, with Loïc's growls and streams taking everything in their path.
Supported by impeccable production that suits both the atmospheric and the rougher, even extreme, parts, "Holocene" is a clear departure from what we're used to from the Germans. However, their recognizable musical signature is still based on diverse, exciting vocals and, for once, more on electro keyboards than guitars.
The Ocean has produced an exciting album, the logical next step in their career, which is enriched here by a new, more introspective chapter. The result should satisfy fans of the aforementioned bands, and appeal to fans of atmospheric metal not averse to the rougher phases of post-metal. "Holocene" is a fine gateway into the world of a band that knows how to do almost everything. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Preboreal
02. Boreal
03. Sea Of Reeds
04. Atlantic
05. Subboreal
06. Unconformities
07. Parabiosis
08. Subatlantic
LINEUP:
David Ramis Åhfeldt: Guitares
Loïc Rossetti : Chant
Mattias Hagerstrand: Basse
Paul Seidel: Batterie
Peter Voigtmann: Claviers
Robin Staps : Guitares
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READERS
4.2/5 (4 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (3 view(s))
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