Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genres: Black Metal, Folk Metal, Pagan Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records

So the other night Mrs. Blaspheme and I are in HMV, as usual, and she said she’d grab a CD for me that’s under $22. So I saw Primordial, and liking their newer stuff that I’ve heard but not hearing the first album before, I grabbed Imrama. It was sitting at $19.99, so it passed the cash test.
And now, after hearing it twice, it passes the ear test. This album is a classic for black metal fans, and I understand why. It’s definitely grim, but unlike Scandinavian black metal, it’s not frostbitten. There is a beautiful warmth from the album that gives it a very different feel, and sound, and overall aura in comparison with Scandinavian black metal.
Must be all the Guinness and Harp.
Instrumentally, there’s nothing too special or odd, but since these guys are Irish and there is folk metal going on here, whistle and bodhran are present, which adds a really cool flavor.
Over all, Imrama kicks ass and I’m glad Metal Blade re-released it. I recommend it if you’re into folk metal like Arkona, or black metal like Hellhammer or Bathory.

Also tacked onto Imrama is the Dark Romanticism demo from 1993, which is great because trying to find it otherwise would probably prove to be a pain in the ass.
These four tracks show what would essentially become the sound of Imrama, just slightly more raw. Really great stuff.

The DVD that came with this Metal Blade re-release is a live show from 1994, in Cork. The video, the sound, the entire thing is rawer than a still living steak, and fuck is it gorgeous to behold. Stage jumpers, intense moshing, and Alan with long, flowing hair!
If you’ve already got Imrama and Dark Romanticism, this set is worth buying just for this concert footage.

CD: 8 out of 10.
DVD: 8 out of 10.

Primordial on MySpace.

Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records

And finally we come to The Ocean’s forthcoming and fifth full length release, Anthropocentic. This time, the lads of The Ocean turn the all seeing eye of the universe on themselves (or the whole of humanity, at least) and spill stories about the human experience… or condition. It’s all relative.

I’m not sure if it’s rightfully so or not, but Anthropocentric seems like a continuation of Heliocentric… Naw, I’m sure it was intentional. I guess it would be more like a counterpoint to Heliocentric. I’m not entirely sure why they didn’t just release the two as another double disc set like Precambrian?

Anyway, The Ocean once again bring their A game, giving one hundred and ten percent as per usual (since anything less would only be The Sea, I would suspect). The highlight of Anthropocentric is undoubtedly The Grand Inquisitor trilogy. I know of other bands doing what they can to emote, using a song as their voice. Hell, it’s practically what songwriting is, right? But there is a science behind it that only some songwriters can grasp (Examples: As Autumn Calls and Aryeon). The Ocean may as well put a patent on it, since they fucking perfected effective emotional storytelling with Anthropocentric and The Grand Inquisitor (parts I, II and III)!

Overall: Anthropocentric is yet another homerun for this eclectic group of harsh atmosphere generators. If you loved their previous releases as much as I did, then this album is another one you’ve got to add to your collection.

9/10

Ending Note: The Ocean is a band that must be respected. Not simply for putting out truly excellent music, but for putting out something truly different and completely unique. The time and energy that they devote to progressive metal has created a bit of a resurgence for the genre, thanks to the likes of Precambrian and Aeolian (well, all of their releases, actually) and now, it’s not exactly uncouth to claim a progressive band as one of your favorites.

The Ocean On MySpace
The Ocean Official

Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records

And next we have Heliocentric, that was released earlier this year. I’ve been looking forward to listening to this album since the first time I heard my CD player stop “whirring” after listening to Fluxion!

Heliocentric centers around semi-standard The Ocean structures (progressive riffs coupled with multiple instruments for a lush and complex sound) and a common lyrical theme: how science has been fucking religion in the ass as time marches on. Facts replacing myth and so on.

The vocal approach this time around is smattered with a few more different styles: loads more clean vocals (with Ptolemy Was Wrong reaching critical mass in the cheese department at times), a bit more of a straight up death metal style growl as opposed to a more metalcore-ish bark from earlier releases and the occasion gang shouting.

Instrumentally, this album has it’s predecessors beat. No question! There’s just as many different kinds, but their use has been honed to a fine, laser sharpened point! Viola, contrabass, trombone, vibraphone, etc… all this and the kitchen sink are introduced and handled with precision of a Master. Example: the piano is an instrument that can sound forced if not added in the proper context. But here in Heliocentric, it’s not overused, not added in superfluously and not added in just to sound classy. It’s only the center piece when needed and adds a much appreciated accent to the harsher vibes of this Heliocentric universe.

Overall: Yet another interesting outing for the deep blue collective. If you dig atmospheric metal that’s smart as hell and as deep as… well, the ocean, then you’ll love Heliocentric.

9/10

The Ocean On MySpace
The Ocean Official


Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records

In light of the recent bad luck that has befallen our pals in The Ocean Collective, I figured that since I’m a little short on cash and am unable to donate (but YOU can HERE), that I would do a The Ocean mini-marathon review.

I guess it should be said that I never heard the original Fluxion, so my review will mostly just be straight up and not retrospective. But that won’t dampen it at all I don’t think…

What can I honestly say about The Ocean? Originally, that it’s big, blue and full of fish. But now, having finally heard The Ocean after first hearing about them back in 2007 while they were pimping Precambrian (which will be missing from this marathon since I don‘t fucking own it! Grrrr…), I can say that this shit is… overwhelming. Their sound is so deep and full that it’s a practice in multi-tasking just listening to them!

The main vocalist is a baron of baritone badassory with some brutal bellowing that blows away most of the growls I’ve heard in the past. Every once in a while you’ll get a gang vocal or slightly shrill shout that detracts from the main vocals, but overall it’s all good. The guitars range from simple chords to intricate tapestries, woven from the minds of seemingly appears to be a psychotic mind… but I don’t think that last part is true… maybe they really like hallucinogenics? I dunno.

Point being, Fluxion is a MASSIVE, rolling soundscape that ebbs and flows with a headbanging tide of sweet tranquility and unrelenting chaos. You’ll find that Fluxion is a bit more abrasive than it’s successors, but that’s just part of the charm! Water, water everywhere…

Overall: If you’re into intricate, sludgy, experimental music that involves life and land aquatic, then The Ocean is right up your Straight Of Gibraltar. Each song on this album is a potential white squall that can and will leave you breathless.

9/10

The Ocean On MySpace
The Ocean Offical

Genres: Doom, Stoner Metal
Label: Metal Blade

Bison B.C. are one of Vancouver’s best exports, laying a metallic swath across the continent that flattens even the most hardy of headbanger.
A heavy as hell mix of Sabbathian doom and Mastodon’s stoner riffage with the power of High on Fire.
In fact, I’d say Bison and High on Fire are pretty much soul brothers in the genre. A wall of crushing guitars that, after seeing both bands live, I think has caused permanent hearing damage. Especially since Bison’s show was in such a small club.
But I digress. This is about Dark Ages. This album is fucking heavy, and that includes the lyrics. Songs about Vancouver, what seems to be family abuse (I could be interpreting these lyrics wrong; they’re really well written), and of course, continuing the story of the Wendigo (we’re into Part 3 now with this album). My favorite song is “Melody, This is for You”, with “Fear Cave” taking the second spot.
In all, despite kicking a ton of ass, Dark Ages is like most stoner/doom albums: It doesn’t show the awesome majesty of the live show. If you get the chance to see these guys live, DO IT!
7.5 out of 10.

Bison B.C. on MySpace.