Band: Oceans of Slumber
Album: Where Gods Fear To Speak
Label: Season of Mist
Genre: Prog metal, doom metal
Country: USA
Release Date: September 13th, 2024
For Fans Of: Opeth, Disillusion, Swallow The Sun
As I sat down to review this album, I was shocked to find out I had completely missed Ocean of Slumber’s previous effort, Starlight And Ash. Upon accepting this review, I remember thinking to myself that it had been a while since I heard from them. So I do apologize, as the context of this review is compared to their previous albums except the 2022 release.
I like the idea of Oceans of Slumber. Their sense of atmosphere, their textures, their overall “vibe” (as the kids say). Cammie Beverly’s stunning voice contrasts and accents the dark undercurrent concocted by the rest of the band. The death metal elements sprinkled throughout are superb. The sound choices for the synths are gorgeous. With each record, I like each of these building blocks individually. When combined together, there is always a few things that hold me from really loving the record as a whole. With each release, I keep hoping that these few screws get tightened down, and a masterpiece will emerge. Does Where Gods Fear To Speak do it for me?
The title track gives a very strong start to the record. Ominous and foreboding, it continuously builds tension throughout. The transition into the rolling double bass is well done and the use of harsh vocals adds to the ferocity of it all. Immediately following is “Run From The Light,” and it’s a bit of a let down. The band went for more of a hardcore style of harsh vocals, and I cannot understand why. The growls have always been stellar, and would have fit just fine within the track, but instead, they are more distracting than complimentary.
I really like the first have of “Don’t Come Back From Hell Empty Handed.” It feels like a callback to the piano melody found on “The Banished Heart” and I love the somber emotion it conveys. However, the second half takes a twist that clashes a bit harder than I wanted. “Wish” is one of the best tracks and also one of the shortest. It’s a very straightforward track with an ear worm of a chorus, and I keep going back to it again and again.
“Poem of Ecstasy” leaves me a little confused, but probably in the best way, because towards the end, I thought I was listening to Between The Buried and Me. The band temporarily shirked the gloomy atmosphere for a bit of proggy indulgence and I am here for it.
“The Impermanence of Fate” is an absolute monster of a track. In fact, this is the song I think of when I look at the album artwork. The other-worldly and haunting nature is beautifully captured within this track and let’s us off with a sigh. Oceans of Slumber’s covers have always been incredible, and “Wicked Game” is no exception. Their rendition lends more weight to the lyrics than the original.
One of my biggest complaints with each album has been the drum parts. Dobber Beverly plays some of the cleanest blast beats and tightest double bass rolls out there. But on prior releases, it’s felt as if he just did one take and said “eh, that’s good enough.” With this record, he’s more reserved and the parts feel more deliberate placed. Climatic moments feel poignant and earned, not undercut by a flurry of notes played too early. This is perhaps some of the best drum parts that Dobber has composed.
Despite the praise, this album is still plagued with musical moments that are disjointedly connected. It’s as if each song is written as a collection of multiple ideas, rather than focusing on one or two. And the thing is, this band can do it. My favorite songs have always been the ones that are more concise, and simpler overall. And I say this with a straight face while listening to Dream Theater. But with songs like “Wish,” Oceans of Slumber’s best work is found in shorter, tighter works of music.
I don’t want to make a definitive statement and say that this is Oceans of Slumber’s best work, but if I compare it to the previous albums and the issues I’ve had, it appears to be the case. I can confidently say that each release shows continuous improvement in their songwriting ability and musical talents. Where Gods Fear To Speak will appease old fans and perhaps attract a few new ones.
Rating: 7/10
Tracklist:
1. Where Gods Fear to Speak
2. Run From The Light
3. Don’t Come Back From Hell Empty Handed
4. Wish
5. Poem of Ecstasy
6. The Given Dream
7. I Will Break The Pride of Your Will
8. Prayer
9. The Impermanence of Fate
10. Wicked Game
Total Playing Time: 56:25
Click here to visit Oceans of Slumber’s Bandcamp
Starting his musical journey with Rush, Spenser has become an avid fan of metal and drumming. Other hobbies include reading and audio engineering. He can often be found reading some sort of fantasy novel.