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| Buy this album |
The Belgian underground metal scene has been delivering some top quality bands over the years but there aren’t that much metal acts due to the fact that it is such a small country. Nevertheless bands like ‘Axamenta’, ‘In-Quest’ and ‘Enthroned’ are finally getting international attention due to the fact that they are getting signed to bigger metal labels. But if there is one Flemish band that disserves allot more credit for its musical achievements then it should be Oceans Of Sadness. The band released their 3rd full album in the Benelux at the end of last year titled: …send in the clowns. The rest of Europe will follow soon.
The problem with OOS when you look at the commercial side of the band is that you can’t label it with any specific genre. It has doom, black, death and gothic styles mixed with grunts and quailing vocals throughout the albums. But there is one trademark that only this band has which is the use of a harpsichord sounding synthesizer that is present in almost every song. The rapid and melodic tunes produced by Hans the Keyboard player really gives the band its identity together with the special vocals of singer Tijs. Besides that the band also changed from record label after releasing two records with LSP.
After a weird sounding intro you hear the opening track ‘who’s in control’ which kicks the album of. It starts of with a pleasant sounding metal riff and tune but with Dani (Cradle of Filth) sounding vocals, after a turning point with melodic solos and screaming vocals it ends of the same way it started. This is just an example of what this band has to offer but off course it is impossible to explain just in words. You have to hear it for yourself. What I noticed about the album ‘…send in the clowns’ is that almost each song has its ‘top of the iceberg’, a so called ‘crème de la crème’ which can be explained as a mood change that happens so unexpectedly when a song is becoming a bit overdone not to say boring. Just when you feel that it has been enough you get the best part of the track. A good example of what I mean can be heard on the song ‘Wild Mystery’ and especially the last part of this song. Off course you have to be a fan of this kind of avant-garde black-doom-death metal. You could compare this style of music when you take different instruments from bands such as the ‘Cradle Of Filth’ vocals, early Dimmu Borgir guitar and keyboard work. Also fans of Opeth, early Amorphis and Therion could be interested. Special on this record is the use of flamenco, jazz and oriental influences which is combined together with heavy metal melodies…strange? But it works perfectly.
My favorite album is still their debut ‘For we are’ but this one also has great potential. The production of this record is very good so the quality of the sound production wise has finally improved compared to the previous efforts. This is a great album if you are tired of the mainstream death/black scene and are looking for a more interesting musical journey.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Communication-Relation-Illusion |
| 2. Who’s In Control |
| 3. Wild Mystery |
| 4. Two Voices |
| 5. Coflict-Error-Disillusion-Denial |
| 6. Eyes Like Fire |
| 7. Where Oceans Begin |
| 8. Ode To The Past |
| 9. Precious Gold |
| 10. Frustration-Anger-Resignation |
| 11. See The Angels |
| 12. You’ve Slain |
| 13. Hope Is Gone |
: 53.22
| Buy other Oceans Of Sadness albums |
