The Ocean - Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic (2020)

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Unraveling part two of their cinematic masterpiece “Phanerozoic”, today we have Germany’s The Ocean (Collective) with 50-plus minutes of captivating music. Split in eight gargantuan tracks, this release keeps the same dramatic and larger-than-life vibe from the previous release while introducing a few new elements into the fold. If you like the band’s previous releases, you will instantly enjoy this blistering release.

Opening with “Triassic”, we are immediately immersed into the band’s subtle instrumentation with calming guitars and a very mellow and hypnotic pace. The first thing that stands out is Loïc Rossetti’s use of different vocal styles, in this track using some effects to add versatility to his already signature style. This is actually one of the biggest differences in this release as there is a lot more use of clean vocals (“Jurassic | Cretaceous” and “Eocene”) and experimentation in this aspect of the band’s music, while still delivering his ripping screams that everybody knows and loves, on pummeling songs like “Palaeocene”.

The band’s sound is quite complex and intricately layered, peeling the layers of tracks like“Oligocene” and “Miocene | Pliocene” is a very rewarding experience, revealing themselves little by little, always showing something new and unique. Mastermind Robin Staps creates very nice progressions between moods in the album as tracks like “Pleistocene” provide a nice intinital transition between heavy and more mellow parts, we get a certain Leprous/Haken vibe from this excellent piece.

Closing with the dreamy and proggy “Holocene” the band leaves on a very hypnotic and exotic note. The Ocean (Collective) is always pushing the boundaries and in this release they further develop their experimental sound with progressive and cinematic rock elements. All tracks of “Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic” are a worthy addition to the band’s timeless discography, delivering for both older and newer fines alike.

Band: The Ocean Album: Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic

Label: Metal Blade Records

Release: Septmeber 25th, 2020

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Genre: Atmospheric/Progressive Post-Metal/Hardcore

Country: Germany

Rating: 92/100
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