Oceans Of Night – Domain
Posted in Reviews on December 8th, 2011 by Typhon
Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Independent
I’m going to start off this review by asking a very simple question: WHY THE FUCK ISN’T SCOTT MOSHER A HOUSEHOLD NAME YET?!?!?!
Seriously though, why don’t more people worship at The Alters of Mosher? The guy has been kicking around about the progressive metal scene since 1996 and I think I maybe know one other person who has ever had the pleasure of hearing Mosher’s genius! It’s MADDENING!!!
Anyway, Oceans Of Night is the official team moniker of previously mentioned guitar virtuoso Scott Mosher, vocalist extraordinaire Scott Oliva and new kid on the kit, Alan Smithee. And after the critical praise they received for The Shadowheart Mirror, it’s no surprise that they’re back and ready to drown us all in an ocean of progressive metal with Domain.
If any of you out there are familiar with Arjen A. Lucassen, then you’ll feel right at home with Mosher’s calmingly ethereal one minute, hellish thunderstorm of sonic destruction style of powerful progressive axemanship. If you’re not, then this will all be new to you and I envy you since you’re listening to unadulterated AWESOME for the first time. Not to be outshone (which could of easily happened to anyone else) Mr. Oliva sits comfortably in the forefront, belting out pan-dimensional lyrics with one of the more powerful voices that progressive music has to offer. The only time you aren’t in Oliva’s godlike presence is during Instruments Of Fear, where Mosher and Smithee tear shit up for a little over four minutes. A bitchin’ instrumental track if there ever was one before! And last but not least, Smithee. How we ever got along without you prior to this, I’ll never now. His three balls out method of beating is unrivaled in this realm, unquestioned. You would be hard up trying to match his talent with anyone else in progressive music today… well, there IS Ed Warby. But that’s one hell of a complement if you ask me!
It may seem like I’m ejaculating all over this band purely in the name of fandom, but I assure you that I’m being 100% serious with my opinions in this review. I love this group that much! And honestly, so should you!
Overall: Domain is pure, uncut, unrefined Colombian (er, New Yorkian) progression perfection! It’s every bit as good as The Shadowheart Mirror and everything anyone could of asked for from Oceans Of Night! Easily one of the best albums of 2011!
10/10
