Let’s sink back to Oceans’ world.
Two years after their triptych of EPs, 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 Happy, their third album.
The album opens with Parasite, where the band’s saturated oppressive sound is complemented by diverse vocal parts before joining energetic, jerky riffs, but the track is relatively short, and Spit quickly takes over, bringing us back into the fury we know from the band. Melodic leads appear from time to time in the background to give a catchy edge to the choruses, then the band follows up with Click Like Share, adopting heavy Industrial influences that reinforce the virulence of their fastest and most abrasive parts. Death Metal roots come to the fore on the brutal final, then the band moves towards a sometimes more soaring approach on Let It Burn, placing clean vocal passages and genuinely soothing moments, further reinforcing the contrast with the explosive ones. Self Doubt 24/7 returns to an impressive groove, but the more haunting vocal parts give it a strange tinge, as does the short Trap moment, then the band brings us face to face with Happy, the eponymous track, which allows us to breathe while the vocalist delivers his pessimistic message. The instrumental gradually gains momentum until it bursts into flames, leading to a strange saxophone final, before the band turns to social networks on the vindictive Slave to the Feed, which remains heavy and disquieting, and features a Rap duet that fits the atmosphere strangely well. The band obviously returns to their initial rage on Breed Consume Die, taking advantage of every spark of aggression and hardcore elements to confirm their fury before carrying us away on The Birth of Death, which returns to some more accessible tones without denying its ferocity, creating an even greater contrast. The rhythm section takes on a much more important role, guiding the intense and emotional Father? the next composition, on which the vocalist unleashes his fury once again, before joining In the End There’s Always Pain, the final track, which, throughout its seven minutes, meanders between all the band’s influences, alternating chaos and tranquility with exhilarating naturalness.
With this new album, Oceans continues to exploit all its influences, creating an as rhythmic and unique sound as ever. Happy is not filled with pure happiness, as one might expect, it’s the opposite: a cry of distress that needs to be heard.
90/100
A few questions to Thomas Winkelmann, bass player for the Nu Death Metal band Oceans, about the release of their new record Happy.
Hello Thomas and first of all, thank you very much for your time! How could you introduce the band Oceans without using the word “Metal”?
Thomas Winkelmann (bass): You’re welcome. Happy to answer your questions. A little family of weirdos having a good time whenever they are together whilst making some noise.
As the band evolved since its creation, how do you now link the name Oceans to the music you create?
Thomas: In the same way as we always did. We are just doing what we want to do and what feels right for the moment. So kinda flowing and adapting like water.
The band is about to release its third full-length, Happy. How do you feel about it? Do you already have any feedback?
Thomas: It feels good doing the next step on our way especially this time there is a big European Tour happening right after the release. I haven’t been checking for feedback outside of some of the social media responses to the single releases to be honest. But so far so good I’d say.
How would you sum Happy’s identity up in only three words?
Thomas: Angry, forceful, unforgiving
How did the creation process happen for Happy? Did you notice some changes or evolutions compared to the previous records?
Thomas: Timo and me sat down every week for a while and wrote some of the songs. We’ve also had a bunch of songs that were ready to be released for an EP but at some point we decided to keep going and do a full album instead. Each record has been a little bit different in some ways I’d say but overall we are still creating music which is inspired by our very different influences and we melt it all together.
What about the artwork, what were the guidelines you gave the artist and how does it fit with the music you created? Is there a concept behind the album?
Thomas: I asked a good friend of mine if he could do a dark watercolor style painting of a goldfish in a glass. Not very Metal I guess haha but it fits the album, the title and the feeling we wanted to create very well and we are very “happy” with the result.
The band’s sound is made of a lot of influences, from Death Metal to Nu Metal, Metalcore, Post-Metal and modern elements. How do you manage to combine all of your roots to create your own touch? What bands you could say are the most inspiring for your music?
Thomas: Well we all have quite a different taste in music and within metal music in particular. I think our sound just happens naturally in between our favorite subgenres. A most inspiring influence is really hard to name. There are so many and it changes a lot at times.
Do you have a favorite song on this album? Or maybe the hardest one to achieve for the album.
Thomas: Definitely “In the end there’s always pain”. It’s a song we all like and it contains everything our music is about so to say.
I noticed a lot of variety on vocals, especially on Slave to the Feed where there are Rap moments. Are there any collaborations on this album, or do you just have an infinite vocal range?
Thomas: Timo is definitely a very versatile singer and he did most of the Rap parts but for Slaves to the Feed as well as for Breed Consume Die, we had Josh Collard and Misstiq from Australia’s Earthcaller as vocal and synth features.
I noticed a lot of personal thoughts and self-awareness topics in Happy. Where do you find your inspiration to create music?
Thomas: Yes indeed. We mostly get it out of personal experiences I’d say. We have a bunch of songs on the album which are dealing with the downsides of social media but also some very personal songs that are connected to personal loss and illness of close people.
Do you think you improved yourself as a musician and songwriter with this new record?
Thomas: Well I hope so haha. But in general I just like the fact that we always try out new things if it feels right.
Oceans have of course already played a lot of shows, but you also announced an extensive tour as openers for Septicflesh. How do you get prepared for this show?
Thomas: Oh yes. We will be second out of four great bands every day on this tour. We will all meet prior to the tour for extended rehearsals. Since we all live far apart that can be a challenge but so far it always worked out fine so I am sure it will be fine as usual.
You also performed for the first time in France last June at Kave Fest, how was the show? How do you feel when you’re on stage?
Thomas: Correct. It was great. A really nice festival in a lovely atmosphere with a great crowd, crew and bands. We would be happy to come over again.
Are there any musicians or artists you would like to collaborate with? Whether it is for one song, or maybe more.
Thomas: Of course. There are so many great bands out there. So there’s always room for doing some work together.
What do you know about the French Metal scene? Are there any bands you know and like?
Thomas: Not too much I am afraid. You guys are quite underrepresented in Germany. Please send us more of your bands. Well Gojira of course. They are probably one of the best bands ever and we love them. I also really like Alcest and Celeste and I am getting more familiar with some French Metal and Deathcore as well as Tech/Djent bands. You do have a good scene going as it seems.
If you had to organize a concert for Happy’s release show, which bands would you love to play with? I let you create a poster with Oceans and three other bands!
Thomas: Heriot, Paleface, Spiritbox.
Last and funny question: which dish would you compare Oceans’ music with?
Thomas: Filet Wellington – crispy outside but tender inside.
That was the last question for me, so thank you very much for your time and your music, last words are yours!
Thomas: Thanks for having me. Find or keep doing what you love because that will keep you sane. Never lose hope.