Review OCEANS OF SLUMBER “Where Gods Fear to Speak”

Oceans Of Slumber was formed in Houston, Texas in 2011 and released their first full-length album in 2013. A big step for the band was the following longplayer “Winter”. The biggest change and a huge step forward for the band was when vocalist Cammie Gilbert joined Oceans Of Slumber.

“Where Gods Fear to Speak” is the sixth album of the progressive metal outfit and I can easily handle any comparison with the previous longplayers. Ten songs reflect progressive and cinematic metal that is captivating. Once you drop the needle and the first notes of the opener fill the room, you can’t stop listening. Too good is what reaches your ears and mind.

If you need a song that could serve as a blueprint for the album, I can recommend “Don’t Come Back from Hell Empty Handed”. For more than eight minutes the band celebrates their music with a lot of different ingredients embedded in this epic piece. Gentle moments with Gilbert-Berverly’s voice in focus, accompanied by the softly playing piano, are as much a part of this track as massive metallic outbursts with a blast beat approach. Furthermore, the song has different layers that make “Don’t Come Back from Hell Empty Handed” a highlight of the album.

It is the expressive voice of Gilbert-Beverly and the musical vision of Dobber Beverly which are the creative fountains for songs like the very emotional “The Given Dream”. The duo just found each other and the fact that they are married shows that the emotional connection goes beyond a musical relationship. I think you can hear that depth when you listen to the album because the underlying feel is very real. What you get is what you hear and what you hear is so great.

We could go through each of the songs, but listening to these ten compositions is much better than reading about them. Songs like the dark and pounding “Prayer” are sophisticated songs that are a treat for fans of metal with a progressive structure. Some guttural vocals, like during “Prayer”, are an extra element of style that adds to the good overall effect of the album, as they are meant to be there for the dramatic aspect of the song. These moments are rare, but they fit perfectly and this is an aspect of the art that Ocenas Of Slumber create. Not to forget “The Impermanence of fate”, where the growls are a bit more in the foreground, but again more as an element of suspense to strengthen the story of the song. And there is “Wicked Game”, originally by Chris Isaak, which is emotionally touching and continues the series of excellent cover versions.

A change of label and some line-up adjustments did not hinder the band from following their musical direction. “Where Gods Fear to Speak” is a logical continuation of what began with the release of “Winter”. Oceans Of Slumber have found their own trademark sounds that set their music apart from many other bands. Don’t miss this release.