Oceano are one of the many aspiring death/deathcore/hardcore acts to be coming out of Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2006, we often hear the words “next big thing in extreme metal” being touted around, and with them being signed to Earache, a lot is perhaps expected of these guys. Let’s face it. Most of the time, when you hear a new young death metal band, it can be all cut out of the same mould type thing; which in turn can automatically (and sometimes unfairly) get dismissed by all the devoutly loyal brutal death fans, especially those of the old-school.
Well. This is a crossover on genres album. It is VERY rare nowadays that a big label like Earache touch a band that are an extreme genre only band, and Oceano will appeal to a lot of young fans and also those who have been into the metal-core scene but crave something heavier and less repetitive in nature.
Does the cross-over work? Well. For a first album, this is not bad stuff at all. No; it’s not re-writing the rule book as may have been quoted in some areas, but it does serve as a steady base from which Oceano can plan their next moves.
The album does have a bit of variation on it too, with one of the better instrumentals that I’ve heard on an extreme metal cd in the shape of the title track (generally, a lot of instrumentals being garbage space fillers in my honest opinion). There are some songs which have a combination of higher/screechy vocals and the low/gruff approach such as “Inhuman Affliction” and then others which just grind ahead with the guttural stuff, and the tone of the album varies from song to song with their being some lighter moments along the way.
Songs that do stand out for me are the very well arranged “District of Misery” where the band shows some good placement of harmony and melody, within a tight and pounding rhythm section. Also, “Fractured Frames” which starts off nice and fast and then has a truly metal-grimace inducing breakdown in the centre. Aw.....cmon...who isn’t a sucker for a good breakdown??
Oceano are certainly a band with their heads screwed on, and I think that the music that they are playing is going to appeal to those of you who are into the deathcore/Hatebreed-esque sections of the metal fraternity. I am sure that the next release will build on the solid start that they have made on Depths, and with a little bit of tinkering here and there, so that the songs fit seamlessly together and maybe with a shortened and punchier track-listing; these boys will continue to please listeners for years to come.
http://www.myspace.com/xoceano
