Album Review: The Ocean - 'Precambrian (Double Disc)'

I picked this record up at the

tail end of 2007 and it’s taken me up until now to review it. Why?

Because there’s so much going on within these two CD’s that I’ve

needed a good six weeks just to get my head around it.  

While being something of a big

deal in their native Germany, The Ocean have a relatively low

profile throughout the rest of the world, something which is sure to

change in the near future as Precambrian features some of the

most devastating and emotive metal since Cult Of Luna first assaulted

our ear drums. 

Clocking in at close to ninety

minutes, Precambrian has been divided into two separate movements…

the technically proficient and crushing Hadean/Archaean disc, and the second, more subdued effort known as Proterozoic.

Both portions of the record are equally as impressive and showcase a

band that has mastered a multitude of different sounds and song writing

techniques. 

Taking its queues from time signature

defying Swedes Meshuggah, the record’s first disc hits you

like a fucking sledgehammer. I’m not sure exactly how many of TheOcean’s nine full time members (yep, nine) are playing guitar

on the lead track “Hadean”, but the thick riffs coupled with the

polymetric drum patterns and haunting keyboards sound enormous. “Eoarchaean”

kicks of with a riff that would make the mighty Devin Townsend

proud, which somehow makes way for a throaty chorus melody that becomes

the focal point of the song. 

“Palaeoarchaean” sees the

band getting in touch with their discordant, hardcore roots. At just

under three minutes it’s the shortest track on both of the discs,

one which utilizes a straight forward approach in the drumming department

to great effect. Ambling along with a stoned groove is “Mesoarchaean”,

the sparse guitar work combining with Mike’s savage growl to form

one hell of a racket, while “Neoarchaean” is picks the pace up again

with The Ocean’s ode to thrash influenced punk rock. 

As impressive as the record’s

first disc is, Proterozoic is an absolute masterpiece. As if the introduction

of “Siderian” wasn’t haunting enough, The Ocean have incorporated

saxophone flourishes into their already atmospheric sound, which leads

perfectly into “Rhyacian”, a song which uses minimal drum arrangements

and punchy bass lines to get its message across without relying on the

crunch of their guitarists… that is until The Ocean collective

kick into top gear a few minutes later and produce one of the heaviest

tunes on Precambrian. 

Choosing a favourite song from

such an ambitious record was incredibly difficult, but after repeated

listens “Orosirian” still has my attention. With vocal contributions

from none other than Nate Newton (of Converge fame) the

track is as epic as it is heavy, successfully integrating a live string

section into The Ocean’s existing wall of noise. “Statherian”

acts as an interlude of sorts as it allows the band’s more traditional

instrumentalists take the lead. The combination of violins, violas and

cellos makes it even more inspiring.  

If I had to choose one song which

best summed up all of The Ocean’s ambitious ideas into one

neat package it would be “Calymmian”. Starting off with barely audible

guitars (compared to the thunderous sounds that populate the rest of

the album) and a series of samples and soundscapes, the tune manages

to incorporate almost every instrument that The Ocean collective

have at their disposable… and at no time does it sound over crowded

or self indulgent. Just as you think the track is about to time out

it manages to absorb some of the band’s heaviest moments into the

delicate sounds that are already present.  

If you’re a fan of heavy music

in any way, shape or form then this is a record you need to hear. Simple.

Hadean/Archaean (Disc 1) 

1. Hadean
2. Eoarchaean
3. Palaeoarchaean
4. Mesoarchaean
5. Neoarchaean

Proterozoic (Disc 2)