The Ocean – Heliocentric

Here we face a classic problem! There is a band we like and at its next strike, if there is a change in the direction we feel betrayed and if it’s similar with the previous effort we feel like hearing the same again and again. “Heliocentric” belongs to the first category. The Ocean had the guts to leave behind the massive sound of “Precambrian” and to proceed to a more soft musical approach to matters as the origins of the species and the conflict between science and religion.

The disappointment at the first listening is almost certain. Where have that giant guitar walls gone? Where is the brutal voice that moved the geological plates a couple of years ago? Where the fuck have you been hiding that lava spreading rhythm session? Actually, nowhere. The system is rebooted and the operating system is brand new. The production, the vocals, the emotions are clearer than they ever were. Piano and violin play a major role to the compositions, often displacing the electric guitars. Many of you may wonder. Is this bad? Well no, it’s always a matter of taste, but there are very few bands capable of producing the “Precambrian” sound so I personally wished for something equally destructive.

To make musical comparisons it’s like the gap between the previous and the last Mastodon album and even bigger. In lots of tracks the latest Green Carnation albums came to my mind and even Amorphis. The only real difference is that all the metal riffs resemble the post metal glory of the past. In other aspects, the lyrics deal with the theories of the creation of the world, from the bible to Darwin and Dawkins. Although the idea is great, I felt like they just presented some theories. No comments, no personal views, no complex thinking. The artwork is once again perfect and original, an item you want to have in your collection.

Generally, the quality standards are again high, there are no fillers and for the beginning of a turn to their career the result is more than just fine. Being under the thick “Precambrian” shadow it’s almost impossible to shine. The last two songs of the album bear a big promise for the future. And knowing that their next album “Anthropocentric” is only a few months away we must only give them a second chance.