Oceans of Slumber - S/T Album (2020)
So, it seems like many metal fans, like myself, have thankfully come across Oceans of Slumber recently. Why, you might ask? They recently dropped their third, self-titled album (via Century Media Records) – and let me tell you, the hype is worth it. After listening to it, I ended up going back in their catalog and checking out their previous release The Banished Heart. And although The Banished Heart is absolutely fantastic and worthy of all the praise it received, we’re not here to talk about that today…though I may get around to reviewing it at some point. However, that is all for another day.
For those uninitiated with Oceans of Slumber, here we go. They’re a progressive metal band based out of Houston, Texas, and formed in 2011. By 2013, they had self-released their debut Aetherial and by 2014 current vocalist Cammie Gilbert replaces Ronnie Allen. They signed with Century Media Records in 2015, and 2016 was marked by their tour with Ne Obliviscaris and Enslaved, along with their sophomore release Winter. Noisey has referred to Oceans of Slumber as a “female-fronted Opeth”. Although they’ve been on an upward trajectory since their debut, they haven’t quite broke through to the mainstream just yet – but their self-titled release might very well be the reason why they become more of a household name.
Now that we’re back to their newest release, one of the first thoughts I had was regarding the album art. It’s fantastic, dramatic, and immediately grabs your attention. To me at least, it indirectly hints at the epic and moody tones found throughout the album. Now that I come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve been so highly aware of the album art since listening to Bell Witch’s Mirror Reaper.
The album hits the ground running with ‘The Soundtrack to my Last Day’, and even with the bands doom-laden sound, doesn’t truly slow down until ‘Imperfect Divinity’. Don’t worry though, the album does pick up the speed later on in the album! Including the faster and slower parts also allows the band to exercise their full range of sound and influences, meaning we get to enjoy both the flavours of death metal and doom metal…without it feeling like a death-doom band. Though I will say this, slowing down really allows them to shine and show off the emotional depth of their songs.
Vocalist Cammie Gilbert is absolutely phenomenal – although she’s been bringing more of a soulful style of singing not commonly heard or seen in metal for quite some time, it really makes their self-titled album stand out. Her voice packs the emotional punch needed to pull off the variety of tempos and styles found throughout their album – and how she delivers the lyrics is quite fantastic too. For example, how she delivers the following lyrics on “Pray for Fire” just grabbed my attention every time I’ve gone through the album: “Now they pray for rain / But I am the coming storm”. Hell, even typing it out gives me chills!
If I’m going to be completely honest, I’m having a hard time thinking of negatives here. On occasion I zoned out during parts of the second half of the album, but got pulled back in with “The Red Flower”. This particular song really shows off their doomier side, and makes it their own. I guess the only other negative is that it well, ended.
I cannot repeat enough how happy I am to have come across Oceans of Slumber. I get my death-doom, doom/gothic, and powerhouse vocals fix all in one band, and in one album. I really hope this album (and their other ones too, they’re so good!) gets them the mainstream attention they deserve. Super excited to see where they’ll go in the future.
My Favourite Songs: Pray for Fire, A Return to the Earth Below, The Adorned Fathomless Creation, The Red Flower
Bands You May Also Like: So, this part of my review’s going to be a bit more in-depth than how I previously did it. Instead of just whipping out bands and hoping you’ll check them out, now I want to explain why you should check them out. Just a heads up, due to Oceans of Slumber’s especially unique mix of influences, this list might be a little more all over the place than normal.
Pallbearer: Another excellent band hailing from the United States, these guys channel dark, dreary doom with a healthy dose of Ozzy Osbourne-sounding vocals. They seem on track to become underground darlings like YOB, and I personally don’t think they’ve made a bad release yet. 2017’s Heartless is absolutely solid.
Warning: These guys kind of straddle doom and gothic metal, but that’s okay. These guys are amazing at creating this dark, fuzzy, and depressing wall of sound – but aren’t afraid to get intimate in their songs. Although they’re not the most prolific band out there, 2006’s Watching from a Distance is a gem.
Insomnium: Melodic death metal giants Insomnium really capture the emotional side of metal, while keeping it heavy and occasionally catchy. Like bands like AC/DC and Lamb of God, you know what your getting with their albums sonically. While people like to poke fun at these guys having somewhat similar-sounding records, it’s a sound that works and keeps bringing people back.
Ne Obliviscaris: Australian group Ne Obliviscaris isn’t afraid to meld death metal, prog metal, and whatever the hell they feel like adding (I mean, have you heard the violins and other instruments they bring in?). 2017’s Urn is excellent, but you can’t really go wrong with their albums.
Honourable Mentions: Enslaved, My Dying Bride, Candlemass, Swallow the Sun