This third release by singer/guitarist Robert Staps' project THE OCEAN is actually the second half of a recording session. The first half of this session was released in 2004 under the title "Fluxion". People familiar with that album may be somewhat surprised by "Aeolian", since its atmospheric orchestral arrangements are now largely replaced by brutal metal riffage. No less than six different singers were used, among them Thomas Hallbom (BREACH), Nate Newton (CONVERGE) and Sean Ingram (COALESCE). Musically its most obvious point of comparison is MASTODON, not the least band to be compared to.

But although good, it's not a perfect record. Some of THE OCEAN's self-indulgent math-metal-antics veer too close to MESHUGGAH-territory for my taste. In my opinion THE OCEAN are at their best when they take a step back and leave some proverbial air into their music, as they do in the excellent "Austerity" and the album's two closing tracks. Although the straight ahead thrash metal of songs "Une Saison En Enfer" and "One With The Ocean" isn't too shabby either.

And what's with some of those silly gore lyrics? What we've got here is a band (or more appropriately a 'collective') that puts a poem by Edgar Allen Poe to music ("The City In The Sea"), and at the same time sings dumb B-movie stuff like 'I'm the master of the needle in your clit' and 'I'll fuck your dog/Do you still wanna get along with me?' Sure, tough guy! Is this supposed to be 'disturbing' or something? When I'm in the mood for stuff like that I'll listen to some AUTOPSY, SLAUGHTER (the Canadian ones) or just about any grindcore band out there. They do that kind of shit a lot better.

But anyway, all criticism aside this is still a good metal record overall. Wildly uneven, and more than a little pretentious (from what I've heard their live show even includes jugglers and shit), but with enough great arrangements, riffs and guitar harmonies to qualify as good. I'll have to give 'em that.

- Van Hoften

OFFICIAL SITE: www.theoceancollective.com

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Une Saison En Enfer

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