ORPHANED BY THE OCEAN
(ROCKET)
Following in the footsteps of Grails and Across Tundras, and more notably the revitalised Earth, comes Teeth Of The Sea. This is dictionary-definition post-metal though, with the novelty of trumpet use.
‘Latin Inches’ builds momentum gradually. The percussion is engaging as guitars gently shimmer over it. Then comes the Bargeldian guitar clatter; that axe-as-rhythm that used to characterise the Bad Seeds. It adds texture, and promises bludgeon to come. ‘Coraniaid’ is a brief dabble that continues the promise. While ominous, you find yourself checking your watch.
‘Swear Blind the Alsatian’s Melting’ changes the mood. Its slow, clear arpeggio is reminiscent of the quieter moments of the last Tool album. The trumpet returns to add colour, and an actual rhythm enters the mix. It doesn’t last long, but provides optimism as the structure gleefully degenerates into slow guitar squeal, brass drone and bass threat.
‘Dreadnought’ and ‘Sentimental Journey’ define the second half. These mini-epics bring the mood, and tempo, right down. There’s more trumpet on this one. They seem to want the instrument to become for them what the sax has for Wolf Eyes – their chosen deadly weapon – but it instead makes them sound like the Chumbawamba of the post-Oceanic scene.
This final song on the album builds, and builds, and actually goes somewhere. Admittedly, the song implodes, instead of exploding, when it is due to kick in, but at least some noise turns up. It seems that – for the most part – one can define post metal as ‘metal without the catharsis’. If that is the case, Orphaned by the Ocean is a fine example. As an album of rock music; an artistic statement on which the band can hang its collective hat, it embodies the sub-genre at its most anodyne.
Rating: 6 / Robin Jahdi