Ever had a moment of immense joy when you had got to listen to a new album by a band that you enjoy, especially when their previous album was remarkably wonderful? Doesn’t is spark immeasurable happiness to see that the music has taken a new and deep intricate yet intimate direction that shows how much the band has grown since the last record? This is the experience of listening to the newest Our Oceans record ‘While Time Disappears’. Simply put, it is the experience of multiple moments of joy seamlessly flowing into each other. I thought the wait was way too long between the band’s debut album and their newest offering but I am reminded that there is truth to the idea that the best things take the longest time.
‘While Time Disappears’ overflows with a warm comforting aura- almost like when you rediscover a favourite memory that you completely forgot. The whole record is a trip that gently nudges between the warm, soft, soothing vibes beautifully articulated from the debut record to a more aggressive and more emotionally intense and captivating sound of the new record. “You Take” is a fantastic example of this. From a cuddly sound to a massive wave of sounds, the band’s musical prowess shows it is done. “Unravel” is almost (but not quite) a quick crash course of all the sounds the album has to offer. While the air of familiarity still lingers, it is in a new avatar open to being radical yet accommodating to a palate of moods and textures.
“Face Them” is a side of the band I did not expect to hear. This fast hard-hitting song is a fresh sound for a trio. I suppose this sound has long inhabited in the deep-seated proggy metal side of things in each of the band members individually. Can’t deny the mood of Exivious teasing us across the album. “Your Night My Dawn” is my favourite track off the record. It has everything that made me fall for the band’s music and yet is always on the edge of simply ripping through and breaking out to embrace the new harsher sounds. Almost like a tipping point but a deliberate and artistic tease so gracefully accomplished. Another interesting aspect about ‘While Time Disappears’ is that the really proggy side of things is more upfront and in your face in many parts of the album but not in ways that it sounds like something for the sake of it. “With Hands Torn Open” is just this. Progressive as ever but so accessible to literally anyone.
“Motherly Flame” is another favourite of mine. This song is certainly a new high in the band’s musical arsenal. What can I say, it is an absolute treat. “The Heart’s Whisper” is a special song off the record. I suppose a song was a cradle, this is what it would sound like. Beautiful stuff! Every song on this stellar record is a new standard in understanding how progressive music can be much more than technical wizardry, but rather a force of music that can gently caress your heartstrings and be a pillar of strength when you need it the most. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of bands do this but Our Oceans dives deeper into ways of feeling you probably did not know existed.
‘While Time Disappears’ by Our Oceans is a new epoch is a progressive music that is soul-soothing, comforting, technically interesting with lyrics nothing short of being heart fulfilling poetry. The album, by the sound of it, is the articulation of musical maturity quite profound and colourfully articulated. This isn’t about writing music for the sake of writing music but sounds more like the yearning of raw honesty that has been closeted for way too long – a realization of the self-authentic before it’s too late or before time disappears. Hearing Tymon Kruidenier sing and scream his poetry while pushing his guitars in ways that sound inspiring, hearing Robin Zielhorst making the fretless sing and add depth to the music, and hearing Yuma van Eekelen practically giving the album a heartbeat and pulse with his detailed and intricate drumming is truly breathtaking. The production is so detailed, warm and whole. There is nothing that one would miss out on. The playing has a lesson for literally any musician and me personally too! ‘While Time Disappears’ by Our Oceans is a record that simply cannot be missed. It is rare, precious and spectacular.