The Ocean

 Today in 2004 The Ocean reelased the album fluXion

Berlin, Germany Progressive/Atmospheric Sludge Metal/Post-Hardcore

Status:Active

Years active: 2000-present

Originally known as the Ocean Collective, before shortening their name to the Ocean, this forward-thinking ensemble from Berlin, Germany, was founded in early 2000 by guitarist Robin Staps, who soon surrounded himself with fellow guitarist Andreas Hillebrand, bassist Jonathan Heine, drummer Torge Liessmann, percussionist Gerd Kornmann, and a variety of individually specialized vocalists, including Nico Webers, Sean Ingram, Nate Newton, Thomas Hallbom, and Carsten Albrecht. Inspired in part by the progressive explorations of Americans Neurosis, and wishing to compose brutal heavy metal containing lighter, atmospheric elements under strictly orchestrated parameters, the group's demos, EPs, and two albums (2004's Fluxion and 2006's Aeolian -- which were recorded at the same session) have been described as "ambient doom soundtracks." The hard-hitting, prog-tinged Precambrian arrived in 2007. For 2010's Heliocentric and Anthropocentric (released just five months apart), vocalist Loïc Rossetti (who actually sings rather than growls) replaced Albrecht and helped to shift the band's focus toward a more spacious approach with larger textural and dynamic shifts. In April of 2013, the Ocean released their most ambitious undertaking yet in Pelagial. Written to be performed as a single 53-minute conceptual work, its various sections virtually interact with one another. The package contained both vocal and instrumental versions of the album.

Make My Day Records

Robin Staps Guitars, Percussion

Jonathan Heine Bass

Torge Ließmann Drums

Gerd Kornmann Percussion, Vocals

Sean Ingram Vocals

Tomas Hallbom Vocals

Nate Newton Vocals

Ercüment Kasalar Vocals

Carsten Albrecht Vocals

Nico Webers Vocals

Mathias "Meta" Buente Vocals

Guest/Session

Markus Gundall Vocals

Thomas Herold Vocals (backing)

Alex Roos Vocals (backing)

Rebekka Mahnke Cello

Demeter Braun Violin

Tove Langhoff Clarinet

Mike Pilat Vocals (additional) (2009 re-release)

1. Nazca 04:51 instrumental

2. The Human Stain 08:37

3. Comfort Zones 03:59

4. Fluxion 04:19 instrumental

5. Equinox 04:19

6. Loopholes 01:29 instrumental

7. Dead on the Whole 05:05

8. Isla del Sol 09:40

9. The Greatest Bane 14:34

56:53

In 2009, the album was completely refreshed with new vocals by another vocalist, new mixing and re-mastered, and was released with new package and artwork by Pelagic Records.

Co-released with Throne Records.