Oceans keeps the present momentum with a new EP.
After a first volume at the beginning of the year, Timo Schwämmlein (vocals/guitar, ex-Sintech, ex-Varg), Patrick Zarske (guitar, ex-Sintech, ex-Varg), Thomas Winkelmann (bass, Mathyr, ex-Varg) and J.F. Grill (drums) announce the release of Hell Is Where The Heart Is Vol. II: Longing, on Nuclear Blast.
The EP starts with Longing, a short introduction which lets sampled vocals explain the band’s concept, then Home comes to charm us with clean vocals followed by a catchy rhythmic. Riffs offer some effective simpleness which does not hesitate to ignite or to wear heady keyboards while letting the vocalist deliver visceral screams. I Want To Be Whole Again follows, exposing its melancholy with a progressive groove and a false quietness which will be crushed by heavy riffs, accompanying vocal parts. The dark melting gradually strengthens before letting the impressive finale drive us to Living=Dying and its abrasive aggressiveness. The track offers us an interesting contrast between screams with blasts and the softer but equally intense verses, before allowing the rhythmic to fade into the void, after a final howl of sorrow.
Although quite short, this new EP allows Oceans to continue to feed its universe between heaviness and despair. Hell Is Where The Heart Is Vol. II: Longing allows musicians to expose us to a hurtful reality, but also a hope that seems to live on despite the hardships.
90/100