The Ocean - Holocene

Angry Metal Guy 60

For the last few years, The Ocean has been detailing the formation of this dreadful planet with its unique mix of sludge, progressive, and post-metal. In 2018, those building passages and passionate vocals took us from the Cambrian Explosion to the Permian period, the final and most destructive stage of the Palaeozoic era. Twenty-twenty’s follow-up, Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic, dragged us through the Triassic and Jurassic periods, bringing us to our current epoch of existence—the Holocene. Ending that album with “Holocene,” the closer stood out among the rest. Its lavish textures and feel-good beauty separated it from the violent cacophony of the back-to-back “Triassic” and “Jurassic.” An approach that the band takes for almost the entirety of Holocene. Switching gears ever-so-slightly to a softer approach, this new epoch in The Ocean’s journey embodies birth, growth, and life. But does Holocene capture the true spirit of this final leg? Is it worthy enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Phanerozoic I and Phanerozoic II? As with all great things, only time will tell.

Mixed reactions rumble around the office as this new opus circulates through the AMG halls. From Steel‘s office to Cuervo‘s cage, it follows along the Dixie-cup string down to Dolph‘s dunk tank where, to everyone’s horror, Sharkboy is pegging the dolphin. As contrarian as the staff can be, the collective comments cannot be ignored. Is Holocene boring? Is it a misstep? Is it a masterpiece? With all the swirling grumbles and praises from verbal reviews I never asked for, my brain tumbles down the dungeon steps in confusion. After kicking Holdy out of the bathroom, I lock myself inside with Holocene. Free from distractions, I fully immerse myself in this new record. As I do with all The Ocean records, I get lost in the music—hoping, in turn, that it’ll provide me with the peace I need.

Holocene by The Ocean

Within seconds, I no longer exist in this Holocene epoch, in this Subatlantic period. “Preboreal” is a gorgeous piece that perfectly partners with Phanerozoic II’s closer. It uses soothing vocals and horn-filled atmospheres to guide the song higher and higher into the gentle sky. So lost was I in the song that I had to put it on repeat before I could continue. But, when I did continue, I was struck back into reality. What “Preboreal” achieved was instantly thrown to the wayside by the useless and meandering “Boreal.” Once the back-half, slow-moving chug surfaces, my mind clears. And, for the first time, I realize not only am I in a bathroom, but Holdy had forgotten to flush. Though one should never skip an entire period in history, this pointless piece was one that I wish I had.

Thankfully, “Atlantic” rights the ship. After a calming introduction of piano and clean vox, the bass begins the build. When the distortion arrives, it lifts you and throws you back down a slope of broken rock. Then, as with all great The Ocean tracks, we spiral up to the summit, only to find ourselves rekt by a crushing, chugging riff. “Parabiosis” is another such number. Beginning with the same flare as modern-day Mastodon, the vocals swim through a pleasing arrangement as the bass, drums, and horns lay the path ahead. After the song stops midway, a pulsing riff pushes harder and harder on the song’s membrane—the tension building so much that a rupture is imminent. Then, the pressure subsides, bringing a calming air back to this bubble of nirvana.

Of all the tracks embodying Holocene, “Unconformities” is one everyone will remember. Whether it’s a loving memory or one of hate depends on the individual. The first half of this nine-minute epic swaps the male vocals for female ones, whose timid vibrato reminds me of Ava Inferi’s Carmen Simões. While this beautiful contradiction to Loïc Rossetti’s voice adds diversity to the record, things get weird fast. As the drums begin their ascent, the song explodes into a chaotic combination of repetitious, overlapping vocals that staccato their way into a climax that never comes. It’s an unorthodox approach that is sometimes interesting, but the song completely disrupts the album’s flow. It’s one of those songs you’ll return to or avoid altogether. But the most disappointing piece on the album is closer, “Subatlantic.” While it has all the war-and-peace elements of a good The Ocean song, the build collapses and leaves me feeling hollow.

For the first time in a long time, The Ocean did not receive a glowing review from yours truly. For one, flow is an issue here—something you don’t want on a record from The Ocean. Another is either a pointless piece or those that don’t live up to all their mood and progressive elements. The final issue I have is the utter lack of dynamics. Holocene is a loud album, despite its calming aesthetic. Perhaps it was intentional, providing a crushing linearity when the distortion kicks in. But what happens, even in such stellar tracks as “Atlantic” and “Parabiosis,” is bury everything. That said, Holocene isn’t a dud, and I may find myself awarding a track or two as Song o’ the Year. But, as a whole, it’s not the finale of this mighty journey that I wanted.

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 4 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Pelagic Records
Websites: theocean.bandcamp.com | theoceancollective.com | facebook.com/theoceancollective
Releases Worldwide: May 19th, 2023

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