Oceans of Slumber – Where Gods Fear To Speak
Oceans of Slumber – Where Gods Fear To Speak
Season of Mist
Release Date: 13/09/2024
Running Time: 56:21
Review by Rory Bentley
9.5/10
Last time around when Oceans of Slumber put an album out I ducked out of review duties, something about “Starlight and Ash” didn’t quite click with me and I didn’t want to say negative things about one of my favourite bands, so I left it to Dark Juan who was actually less enamoured with the project than I was. I wasn’t opposed to the more stripped down direction the band went in, however despite some really strong moments I felt the album stripped away a lot of the instrumental aspects that made me fall in love with the band in the first place. Cammie sounded fantastic as usual, but it often felt like competent, workmanlike songs were sitting there waiting for her to sprinkle her vocal magic over, rather than standing alone as dynamic, interesting compositions in their own right.
“Where Gods Fear To Speak” represents an immediate righting of the ship in this respect, with the Houston Texas outfit coming back with their most ambitious, fearless and multifaceted offering to date. The progressive structures are back, the punishing Death Metal has returned, but the increased emphasis on strong, melancholic melody has remained in place. There’s a great deal to take in, and I’m grateful that Season of Mist gave us this preview so early, but it is an incredibly rewarding experience, and one that I’m still wrapping my head around as I write this.
On initial listens one aspect that immediately struck me was how wonderfully the album flowed as one singular composition. Although the complex arrangements and ever shifting stylistic changes demand a lot of the listener, it is undoubtedly an album best consumed in one sitting, free of distraction and ready to embrace a meticulously calculated sonic journey. As a result it is a little more difficult than usual to single out single songs as highlights, however there are many glorious musical moments that will linger in the mind long after the last notes have rung out.
The brooding, Doom-infused title track sets the scene perfectly with Cammie’s soaring, soulful vocals bolstered by crushing guitars and Dobber Beverley’s peerless drumming, which segues seamlessly between swinging grooves and barbaric extremity in the blink of an eye. Notably the harsh vocals make a return, however this time Cammie takes charge of the guttural barks, adding further strings to her already loaded bow. The song builds fantastically to a frantic, uneasy crescendo as chaotic keyboards create a sense of sheer panic before the band takes us back to the main hook. It’s a stunning way to kick things off and ensures that jaws will hit the floor straight out of the gate.
The band’s tradition for recruiting excellent guest singers continues on this record, with Dark Tranquility frontman Mikael Stanne providing robust growls and croons on the muscular ‘Run From the Light’, a more direct but still progressive contrast to the opener. Meanwhile Moonspell singer Fernando Ribeiro lends his smoothe baritone to the soulful, ethereal ‘Prayer’ weaving between Cammie’s celestial siren call. It’s always a treat to see who crops up on an Oceans of Slumber album, as the guest slots never feel gimmicky and each singer slots their style in perfectly with the composition.
While we are on the subject of singing, and although I’ve already mentioned it a fair few times already, it has to be said – Cammie’s performance on this record is absolutely outstanding. Not just in her signature blues-inflected belting, but in the sheer expressiveness of her voice in these songs. There is boiling rage, sultry menace and delicate vulnerability, often in the same song; and it really does take these already magnificent compositions to a whole new level that makes the band so unique in their field. The project has always reflected its writer’s broad palette of influences, from Death Metal, to blues, to Gothic Metal and Prog, but with a singer in such commanding form there really is nobody else like them.
As is also tradition, the album features another cover song twisted into the band’s own image. This time in the form of Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game’, a ballsy move considering that Finnish Love Metallers HIM have already produced arguably the definitive version of the velvet-smoothe ballad. Fortunately the band offer a more stripped back approach that pares back the guitars and takes a more louche, almost torch song approach. It’s the perfect comedown from the intensity of the record and another great addition to the band’s ever growing collection of killer tributes to their vast influences.
As summer comes to an end it also signals the obligatory explosion of new releases, with some big names in the Prog Metal sphere in particular. Having been privy to the majority of these releases ahead of time I can confirm that “Where Gods Fear To Speak” sits at the very top of what 2024 has to offer, and possibly at the top of the band’s now formidable discography. If you like your Metal challenging, passionate and bursting with emotion there will be no better band and no better album to satisfy that need.
‘Poem of Ecstasy’ Official Music Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Where Gods Fear to Speak
02. Run From the Light
03. Don’t Come Back from Hell Empty Handed
04. Wish
05. Poem of Ecstasy
06. The Given Dream
07. Will Break the Pride of Your Will
08. Prayer
09. The Impermanence of Fate
10. Wicked Game
LINE-UP:
Dobber Beverly – drums, piano (2011–present)
Cammie Gilbert-Beverly – lead vocals (2014–present)
Semir Ozerkan – bass guitar, backing vocals (2019–present)
Alex Davis – lead guitar (2023-present)
Chris Kritikos – rhythm guitar, keyboards (2023-present)
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
