The Ocean - Precambrian Review
Posted by Dan Marsicano on 03.03.2008
German experimental rock band The Ocean hit these shores with their third release. Can Precambrian make a splash in America with rock fans or will they be regaled to the underground?
The Band
Disc 1- Hadean/Archaean
Mike Pilat-Vocals (Tracks 1,2,3,5), Bass Guitar
Nico Webers-Vocals (Tracks 1,2,3)
Nate Newton-Vocals (Track 3)
Eric Kalsbeek-Vocals (Track 4)
Meta-Vocals (Track 1,5)
Rene-Vocals (Track 3)
Jason Emry-Vocals (Track 3)
Robin Staps-Guitar
Matt Beels-Guitar
Torge Liessmann-Drums
Disc 2-Proterozoic
Mike Pilat-Vocals (Tracks 2,3,6,8)
Nico Webers-Vocals (Tracks 2,5,8)
Meta-Vocals (Tracks 2,3,5,6,7,8)
Rene-Vocals (Tracks 3,7,8)
Robin Staps-Guitar, Vocals (Tracks 2,6,7)
Matt Beels-Guitar
Torge Liessmann-Drums
Stefan Heinemeyer-Cello (Tracks 2,4,5,6,7,9)
Karina Suslov- Viola (Tracks 2,3,4,5,6,7,9)
Christoph Von Der Nahmer-Violin (Tracks 2,3,4,8)
Katharina Sellheim-Piano (Tracks 2,6,7,8,9)
It is hard to find creativity in the music industry today. Most music is either tailor made for the MTV crowd or sounds the same. Germany’s The Ocean, also known as The Ocean Collective, are an experimental metal band who strive to be different from everybody else. The linear notes for their newest album, Precambrian states that the album “is our stance against Myspace-induced volatileness and transience.”
The band is speaking the truth about Precambrian. This is not an album that you can blast in your car on the way to work. Precambrian is 83 minutes of the most integrate, beautiful, and dark music you may ever hear. To get the full effect, you have to sit down, grab some headphones, and just let the album play; only taking a breather in between switching to the second disc.
The album is split into two discs, the first one being the “heavy” side and lasting 22 minutes, and the second one being the “lighter” side of the band for 61 minutes. Precambrian is a concept album, based on the beginning of planet Earth, before humans roamed the lands. During this time period, which is explained in great detail on the first disc Hadean/Archaean, the Earth was hot as hell, with the weather being constantly unstable. The second disc, Proterozoic, deals with the Earth beginning to cool down, bringing along life forms for the first time.
Hadean/Archaean shows The Ocean at their most basic form. There aren’t any huge orchestrations or mellow passages. For 22 minutes, the band uses guitars, a drum, and a bass guitar at their disposal. They make the most out of this though. While the first disc has only one song, it is as heavy as The Ocean has ever gotten. The band pounds away riff after riff, sounding like a mix of Mastodon and Metallica. The vocals are harsh, the drums are fast, and everything seems to fly by without a moment to breathe.
This can be both a good and bad thing. The first three tracks are great, as the band sounds energetic and full of power behind them musically. I love the more technical “Eoarchaean,” which features one of the few solos on the album, and the almost punk metal “Palaeoarchaean.”
The problem I had with the first disc was that it was too much at times, especially near the end. I love absolute brutality and harshness in my metal, but considering the type of band that The Ocean is, I really wish they struck a better balance at times. However, considering the first disc was only 22 minutes, it does not hinder the effect the band has on the listener.
The second disc, Proterozoic, is a completely different sound from the first disc. The heaviness is still there, but there is much more melody and classical elements to the music, brought on by the exceptional work of Stefan Heinemeyer on Cello, Karina Suslov on Viola, Christoph Von Der Nahmer on Violin and Katharina Sellheim on Piano.
The second disc goes through many musical changes throughout its 61 minutes. A perfect example is from my favorite song on the entire two discs, “Orosirian.” The song starts off like it could belong on the first disc, but halfway through; the song slows to a crawl with violins, a viola, a cello, and some of the most emotional clean vocals on the entire disc. Then the song gets heavy again, but keeps the classical instrumentals in the front, before a sonic burst of sound blasts out and the band finishes the song up with some death metal.
Proterozoic is 61 minutes of the most emotional, dark, creepy, and sinister music of 2007. The first half is really good, including the above song and two instrumentals that feature some great musicianship, but it is the second half where The Ocean really hit their full stride. With the exception of the last song, the five songs that make up the second half of the disc are seven-eight minutes in length and show the band at their most progressive.
Whether it is trying to be the Pink Floyd of the new generation in the intro of “Calymmian” or strongly bringing out a My Dying Bride vibe in “Ectasian,” the band sounds like they feel the most comfortable outside of the box, playing music that the mainstream wouldn’t accept. It is the last track, instrumental “Cryogenian,” where the depth of the album really starts to sink in. For some, it’s just a standard three minute outro, but by listening to the whole album from front to back, “Cryogenian” is a perfect way to end the whole experience. Consisting of just a piano, violin, and viola, the song sounds depressing, but there is a glimmer of hope that seems to be radiated out of it. I couldn’t see the album ending any other way after hearing “Cryogenian.”
I already talked about the superior musicianship of the more “classical” band members, but the other musicians provide a solid backdrop to the deep lyrical content and progressive edge that the band has. There are no crazy solos, with the exception of a song or two, nor are their drawn out instrumental sections with each band member trying to show off. The Ocean strives to create the perfect atmosphere, and makes sure not to jeopardize that by adding in unneeded elements, like solos.
Precambrian is a deep album. It is meant to be heard in one sitting, which I would recommend having the booklet nearby to follow the band through their pre-historic journey. The album grew on me, and even with a few flaws that I already mentioned, has become a personal favorite of mine. Most people won’t “get” this album, and that’s a shame, because what the Ocean is doing is using their creativity to give what is basically a big “Fuck you” to the music industry. Precambrian is definitely a sleeper hit of 2007 and worthy of any music fan who can open their minds and understand that it will take more than one listen to fully grasp what The Ocean has laid at our feet.
The 411: The Ocean is one of the most creative bands out there today and it is a shame that they haven't make much of an impact here in the states. Precambrian is a great album and one that demands your time and attention. This is not an album to listen to in short sections. A greater appreciation of the album is felt when listening to it front to back. If I had heard this back in 2007, it would have made my top ten list. While some people may not "get" it, Precambrian is an experience that needs to be heard at least once.
