THE OCEAN — Fluxion (review)

THE OCEAN — Fluxion album cover Album · 2004 · Atmospheric Sludge Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Fluxion" is the debut full-length studio album by German sludge/post metal/hardcore act The Ocean (sometimes referred to as The Ocean Collective). The album was released through Make My Day Records/Throne Records in November 2004 (Pelagic Records released a remixed and remastered version of the album in 2009, which also featured re-recorded vocal tracks with another vocalist). The Ocean recorded a lot of material during the sessions for "Fluxion" and ended up with enough tracks to fill two full-length studio albums. "Fluxion" features the most experimental/progressive and melodic tracks from the recording sessions while a second album titled "Aeolian" (released through Metal Blade Records in November 2005) features the most raw and brutal sludge/hardcore tracks from the same sessions.

Stylistically the music on "Fluxion" is sludge/post metal/hardcore but featuring adventurous ideas and progressive elements. There are lots of classical influences on the album and there are both violin, cello, and clarinet featured on the material. The music is very heavy with sharp distorted guitar riffing, pounding drums, and an angry sounding and raw shouting frontman. There are only very few clean vocals on the album but when they appear on "Isla Del Sol" it´s a positive surprise which is great for the diversity on the album. Other standout tracks would be the symphonic opener "Nazca" and the closing 14:33 minutes long "The Greatest Bane". "The Greatest Bane" touches post metal territory with it´s slow- to mid paced tempo and slow building structure. There are also some really agressive hardcore tracks featured on the album like "Comfort Zones" and "Dead On The Whole" while "Fluxion" and "Loopholes" show a more atmospheric and subtle side of The Ocean. The tracklist has a conceptual feel to it, and "Fluxion" is the kind of album, which deserves to be listened to as a whole in one listening session. That´s the best way to discover and feel the effect of the dynamics of the loud heavy parts and softer more atmospheric moments.

The album is well produced, featuring a powerful, atmospheric, and detailed production (the drums could have prospered from a more organic tone though), which goes well with the often layered and complex music. The musicianship is on a high level throughout and upon conclusion "Fluxion" is a very strong and promising debut album by The Ocean. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

The Goblin Sessions Heavy Metal
THEM
Buy this album from MMA partners
Tormenta De Arena Metalcore
VORAGO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Infinite Metalcore
FUTURE GHOST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Heretic Melodic Death Metal
SUNCINDER
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Skull Burned Wearing Hell Like A Life Vest As The Night Wept Mathcore
FRONTIERER
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Future Ghost - Wolves (Official Music Video)
FUTURE GHOST
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Future Ghost - Nemesis Game (Official Music Video)
FUTURE GHOST
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Harrowed TwentyTenVideo
HARROWED
Bosh66· 2 days ago
Sunmancer - Realms of Dilemma (Official Visualizer)
SUNMANCER
Bosh66· 7 days ago
Sunmancer - Lower Cavalier (Official Visualizer)
SUNMANCER
Bosh66· 7 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed