FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…
On November 21, 2007, The Ocean (otherwise known as The Ocean Collective) released their fourth full-length studio album Precambrian in the United States via Metal Blade Records (released in Europe on November 5, 2007).
The album features several guest musicians, including Caleb Scofield (Cave In, Zozobra, Old Man Gloom), Nate Newton (Converge, DOOMRIDERS), Dwid Hellion (Integrity), Tomas Hallbom (Breach), Erik Kalsbeek (Textures) and musicians from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Background:
The main concept of the album is based around the Precambrian, an early period in the formation of Earth. Hadean/Archaean (disc one) is heavy and raw just like their previous album Aeolian while Proterozoic (disc two) is more post-metal-influenced with the inclusion of symphonic and electronic elements like their first album Fluxion.
The production of the album lasted more than six months after their tour in Europe in late 2006. All the drum tracks done by Torge Liessmann and most of the guitar tracks were recorded at Studio57, near Kokkola, Finland, where producer Jonas Olsson had also recorded and produced Callisto's album Noir. Some of the guitar tracks and all of the vocals, bass guitar, percussion, samples, and various instruments played by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra were recorded in The Ocean's own Oceanland Studio in Berlin, Germany. Additional vocals were recorded in Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Los Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington in the United States. It was mixed by Andrew Schneider in New York City. The album's mastering was originally done by Nick Zampiello, but dissatisfied Robin Staps, and it was therefore remastered in Finland. The artwork was done by Martin Kvamme, who has done artwork for various Mike Patton projects like Fantômas and Tomahawk. The release in the United States and Europe differed; the U.S. version is in a two-disc crystal case while the European version is in a complex digipak case with additional artwork.
Jonas Renkse from Katatonia and Bloodbath was planned to be on the album, but due to Katatonia's touring schedule during the production, The Ocean was not able to approach him on time. The Ocean wanted to have Dave Verellen of Botch to participate, but he never responded during production.
Critical Reception:
In his review, AllMusic’s Greg Prato wrote;
“Although they're best known as The Ocean, this Berlin, Germany, outfit's original name is perhaps more fitting -- The Ocean Collective -- as they are a hefty eight members strong. And on the group's 2007 release, Precambrian, The Ocean continue to specialize in a hard-hitting approach that touches upon such similar styles as extreme metal and doom metal. But unlike the majority of groups that fall under either of these two categories, The Ocean are not a one-dimensional band. No siree, as such styles as prog (Neoarchean) and even Middle Eastern-esque soundscapes (Siderian) are used to create some much needed shelter -- albeit momentary -- from all the fury. However, don't be fooled into thinking that Precambrian is all about surprise detours -- ditties such as the album-opening Hadean and Paleoachean are instant headbanging highlights. The Ocean remain one of the select number of extreme metal acts that refuse to be predictable, and this is especially evident throughout Precambrian.”
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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